Pelvic kidney found at 20 week scan

[G3mf]

Hi would be grateful for your help. I had my 20 week scan today and all looked ok except the sonographer couldn’t locate my baby’s right kidney initially. She found it in the pelvis. Although she was reassuring and said lots of people don’t even know they have it I’m of course worrying about it. I’ve got an appointment to see foetal medicine in 2 weeks but would be grateful for anyone’s experience of this. I’m just worrying about hydronephrosis etc in the future. The sonographer said that the bladder was draining normally and there was no sign of any swelling around the kidneys.
I’ve got 2 healthy children although an abdominal cystic area was picked up on scan with the first it turned out to be nothing although this is not related I just wanted a scan where I didn’t worry afterwards!

Hi,
I've also just had this finding at my anomaly scan. The left kidney was lower down and appeared smaller. The sonographer was reassuring but also seemed slightly concerned and I've been referred to a consultant. Can't help but feel sick with worry. Hope all ended up ok for you?

I wouldn't be overly concerned! I have a pelvic kidney but had no idea until I had an ultrasound scan in my late 20s. It does not affect my life in any way and many people go through their whole lives with no idea that they have one. I guess the ultrasound tech was mildly excited to be able to tick a different box on her report (must have been a slow day!), but other than that no one has batted an eyelid!

Thanks so much, that's really reassuring! The technology we have these days almost tells us too much! It's good to be aware but can also lead to so much anxiety. Glad to hear you've had no problems

Hi all, I've recently had this diagnosed at our 20 week ultrasound and have been looking online for a bit of reassurance. We have a follow up scan this week with a doctor and I can't help but feel worried. I just wondered how you and your babies were all getting along? Hope all is well :) Thank you for any advice you may have!

I have a pelvic kidney and at the age of 40 it’s never been an issue - I didn’t even know until a gynae ultrasound in my late 30s. The function is normal and it’s never been an issue. It has to be tracked in pregnancy to ensure it’s avoided should I have a C-section but otherwise no issue.

It’s just one of those things and a random little anomaly.

Thanks @Coachee that’s so reassuring :) I started to google a bit too much and ended up reading into all sorts of serious related syndromes when in fact the vast majority seem to be completely unproblematic, it seems many don’t even know they have it!

Hi Lou,
I followed some of your posts regarding the pelvic kidney and I’ve seen your child is doing well :)
I am in a similar situation with my son and we are told about a possible pelvic kidney.

May I ask if you don’t mind if your blood sugar was raised during first trimester please ? I understand causes are unknown but trying to figure out what went wrong for this to happen during early development stage.

Also, after giving birth and your kid is grown now are they developing well ? And do you think our kids will need a regular blood sugar / blood pressure monitoring after this finding ?

many thanks 🙏 I guess I am a very concerned mother to be xxx

@MumToBe2002 I’m in my mid 40s with a pelvic kidney. Had no idea until I had a procedure in my late 30s and it turned out my right kidney was hiding the right ovary from view. Normal function, no issues. Have no health concerns, kidney related or otherwise and have good blood pressure and blood sugar etc at recent health MOT. Health professionals were all very reassuring that it was one of those things that didn’t generally have any health impact. Apparently when you have a kidney transplant they locate them in that sort of area.

Good luck and hopefully it will be nothing to worry about for you and your baby.

Morning
My little boy is now 4 years old. He has a confirmed right sided duplex pelvic kidney. He is well and has never had any issues. The consultant paediatric radiologist and paediatrician say it’s a normal variant. The only thing he can’t do is contact sports like rugby but otherwise a normal life.
I did worry throughout my pregnancy but honestly you would never know he had it. They will USS him at 5 years, 10 and 15 as per our health board policy but only to keep an eye.

@Howdiditgetsobad thank you so much for taking time to reply! That’s really reassuring x

@G3mmwf thanks so much for your respond. Glad your son is doing great! Wish him all the very best! X

Thank you. It’s nothing to do with anything the mother has done. When the kidneys move out of the pelvis in gestation it’s like one got stuck.

Hi @MumToBe2002 sorry for my late reply, I just saw this email in my junk mail! Congrats on your baby, I totally understand how nerve-wracking it is, even without the added stress of a possible medical issue.

I'm not aware that I had raised blood sugar at any time in my pregnancy, it wasn't ever mentioned when I had any blood or urine tests. Have you been referred to a fetal medicine doctor to look into it? In terms of it 'going wrong', we were told that sometimes these things just happen, very often with kidneys, and there is no underlying reason or anything you did or didn't do, it's just completely random.

My daughter is doing really well now, she is 3 and her unilateral kidney has caused her no issues so far. She hasn't had any infections and we just make sure she keeps well hydrated. She hasn't needed any regular blood sugar or blood pressure monitoring, we just see a kidney paediatrician once a year and they do an ultrasound scan of her kidney to make sure it's growing nicely (it has grown larger to do the job of two kidneys which seems incredible to me). She also gets a yearly blood test to check her kidney function and so far no issues.

I'll never forget what our paediatrician said to us when we first met her- 'don't worry, these kinds of kidney problems won't stop your baby becoming the prime minister!'. It's exactly what we needed to hear at that time- and my daughter seems to have the tenacity and sass required to be PM right now!

I really hope this is in some way reassuring, whilst acknowledging that every baby's circumstances are different. Please look after yourself and surround yourself with supportive people so that you can enjoy your pregnancy as much as possible- feel free to message me in the future if you need to :)

@Lou5290 thank you so much for your reply! I am very happy to hear your daughter is doing very well and I wish her a life full of health and happiness X

yes, I am under a fetal medicine consultant we have a scan once every month. So far it seems just an isolated kidney issue. Hopefully all will be well with my son too :)

I am very grateful for everyone’s responses it’s very reassuring and I am hopeful for a very positive outcome.

take care all X