30 weeks - kidney dilatation for baby

[Coffeemadness]

Hi, I’m currently 30 weeks 5 days pregnant with a baby boy via IVF. At my latest scan, one of his kidneys measured 9mm (AP diameter) indicating renal pelvic dilatation.

Amniotic fluid was slightly high at 29 weeks(due to gestataional diabetes) but back to normal in this scan.The sonographer mentioned he was facing my back during the scan.

I read that renal dilatation could be soft marker for downs. All scans before this scan were normal ( i had frequent scans due to other complications), and my NIPT and anomaly scan came back low risk. But couldnt stop worrying about downs.

Is 9mm still within normal range at this stage or something to be concerned about? Has anyone had this and it resolved on its own?

My son had this, and it remained larger on follow up scans.

When he was born, he had a scan - all healthy, just slightly larger.

He is a very healthy, active toddler now, so try not to worry (easier said than done, I know).

@RainbowsMoonbeams Thanks xx Cant stop worrying about downs due to my age and IVF. This pregnancy has been such a difficult one for me.

Hi lovely, I don't have any knowledge on this to contribute unfortunately. But I just wanted to reach out and say I am sending all my positivity to you and baby! I hope you aren't too stressed about this and can enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy in good health. Perhaps there is a mums and babies group on Facebook where somebody might be able to advise you.
Take care
xxx

My baby had this, had scans when her was a baby and resolved. He's now 16, 6 foot 2 and out playing golf! Really try not to worry

It is honestly one of the most common things found on antenatal ultrasound, i see it very frequently. With a low risk NIPT, the chances of your baby having Down's is incredibly low. In my hospital, babies with this are usually recommend to have prophylactic antibiotics as they are at a slightly higher risk of an infection. They usually also get a renal ultrasound in the first week of life... it then just gets monitored. The vast majority of mild cases (9mm would be classed as mild) self resolve.

Two of my children had this. They’re adults now and perfectly healthy. Try not to worry!

Hi OP.

I had this news at 20 weeks and my DD’s was much larger then than your LO’s at 30 weeks - can’t remember the exact measurements. It continued to grow and it was later discovered she has a large obstruction in her bladder causing it.

I worried sick all pregnancy, cried myself to sleep, prayed when I’m not even religious and even dreaded giving birth for fear of the unknown with this condition - and fear of further diagnoses. I really regret not enjoying my pregnancy now and will forever so I urge you to try your best to not be like I was.

My daughter was born just recently and although she is on antibiotics to prevent a UTI and has a scan coming up, you’d never think she has this health concern. I was worried about chromosomal abnormalities too but the NIPT is pretty accurate I believe for the trisomies. You will likely be scanned extremely thoroughly going forward (which I found reassuring) and if they saw any markers, they would let you know. Remember nothing came up on your detailed 20 week scan! The fact that no problems or abnormalities were detected here is really reassuring. We still have the investigating ahead of us and probably surgery to remove the blockage, but I’m far more hopeful.

Your LO’s sounds mild. When this happens, it often corrects itself. It won’t for my DD but the most reassuring thing I was told by her doctor was that she loves her job because there are solutions to the problems she encounters in her line of work with the kidneys and renal system. When I’ve expressed my worry to her doctors and other medical professionals when I was in labour, they all downplayed it and said how common it is - and fixable.

Praying for you and your family as well as mine. Keep us updated.

This came up on a growth scan at 37w with my first. Then at 39w it was both kidneys. I think I read that it’s the most commonly detected abnormality. It will most likely normalise in utero or within a few weeks of birth. A small number have other causes that need treatment.

My DS1’s did not normalise straight away but apart from imaging, we would have never known! He is 7.5y now and is thriving!

I panicked when I read that thing about Downs too but the hospital said there would be other signs and it was very unlikely to be linked to that.

It’s so hard to not worry, I understand. I was 37 having him, so it does play in your mind a bit when something flags up.

Have you thought of going for a private scan? It might offer some reassurance to have another look at baby?

Congratulations on your IVF pregnancy.

Thanks for the lovely reassuring messages xx They mean a lot during such difficult times xx