Antenatally Detected Pyelectasis

This condition was detected at our 20 week scan, although it was a shock at the time at a further scan at 34 weeks we were then told that our babies kidneys where fine.

There are several reasons that this condition can be mixed up with something else, we were told that it can look like this condition when the baby is having a wee at the time of the scan or getting ready to have a wee.

What is Antenatally Detected Renal Pyelectasis (ADRP)

This is where the tubes that drain urine from the kidneys (renal pelvis) are more swollen than usual.

How is it detected

ADRP is seen during ultrasound scanning during pregnancy, and can be found from 20 weeks. The size of the renal pelvis can be measured and compared to normal sizes.

What causes it?

In many cases there is no abnormality, the measurements are just larger than normal, and will return to normal size after birth.

In some babies there is a weakness of the valve that stops urine going back up the ureters from the bladder. This is known as Vesicoureteric reflux (VUR).

Rarely, babies may have a blockage at the junction of the ureters and the renal pelvis. This is known as pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJ obstruction),

What will happen after my baby is born?

The paediatrician will request an ultrasound scan of your baby. This may be done locally or at your nearest children's hospital depending on your area (it is like the scan you had when you where pregnant).

The appointment will be sent out to yoour house within the first two months. The scan will look at the kidneys in greater detail, and remeasure the renal pelvis (the area that was swollen before).

When will you get a result?

You will be given an appointment to go back to the paediatric clinic within two weeks of the scan.

What will happen after this?

This depends on the size of the swelling seen in the womb, the measurements made on the scan and how well your baby has been. If all is well with your baby and the kidney swelling is better or unchanged they will simply arrange a second scan at six months of age for a final check. This is the case in most babies, a small number of babies with increasing swelling will need to organise a different type of scan called DMSA scan.

What is a DMSA scan?

This test is used to show how well the kidneys are working. It will require a cannula ("drip") to be inserted, usually into the back of the hand. A very mild radioactive dye is injected which goes through the kidneys and pictures are taken a short while later.

What next?

If this is required you will have another clinic appointment with the results. Depending on the results it may be that further action is not needed other than periodic outpatient appointments with an ultrascan scan. In some babies they will require further input from a paediatric kidney specialist team. This will be fully explained at the clinic.

Is there anything you should be looking out for or do differently?

Your baby should be treated entirely normally. It is very important to ask for medical help early if your baby has a fever or is unwell so that a urine sample can be checked for an infection. \early treatment with a course of antibiotics is important if this is positive.

--Teresal (talk) 20:28, 13 May 2013 (UTC)