Hydronephrosis is basically a medical term for a health condition that happens when a kidney swells because urine is unable to drain properly. This build-up of urine ultimately ends up in stretching the kidney and makes it larger than normal. Finding this early is very important to protect the child and prevent serious issues like kidney disease.
What are the symptoms of hydronephrosis?
It is observed that most of the kids do not precisely show obvious signs at first. However, the symptoms of hydronephrosis can include belly pain, a high fever, or feeling sick. You might notice specific hydronephrosis in baby boy symptoms like a weak urine stream or trouble passing urine. Older kids might feel back pain or have blood in their urine, while babies might just be fussy or not gain weight. These signs can sometimes look similar to Urinary Incontinence in infants, so getting a check-up with a doctor is key.
What are the causes of hydronephrosis?
The main causes of hydronephrosis involve blockages in the urinary tract or urine flowing backward from the bladder up to the kidneys.
Other causes of hydronephrosis:
- Ectopic ureter: A rare condition where a ureter doesn’t connect to the bladder in the normal location.
- Unknown: In more than half of the children who are prenatally diagnosed with hydronephrosis, the condition resolves itself and the cause is never known.
Diagnosis and treatments
How is hydronephrosis diagnosed?
Prenatal testing: Under this testing, the expert doctors are able to diagnose or identify the condition during routine ultrasound scans before the baby is born.
Postnatal testing: After birth, your baby will likely need another ultrasound to see how well the kidneys are working outside the womb.
Also read – Kidney disease in infants
What are the treatment options for hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis in newborn treatment depends on how severe the swelling is. Options include:
- Fetal intervention: Rarely, doctors may treat the baby while still in the mother’s womb.
- Observation: Mild cases often clear up on their own with regular check-ups.
- Surgery: If there is a big blockage, an operation is needed to fix the flow of urine.
- Robot-assisted and minimally invasive surgery: Using small tools and cameras to repair the blockage quickly, which is a great option for minimally invasive pediatric surgery.
FAQS
Q1. Disclose the key cause of hydronephrosis
It is often seen on prenatal scans due to temporary changes in urine flow. It can also happen because of blockages (like a pelvi-ureteric obstruction), kidney stones, or urine flowing backward.
Q2. What are the signs and symptoms?
Many kids have no symptoms. The most common sign is a urinary tract infection (UTI). Older kids might have a fever, pain when peeing, or side pain. Younger children might just be irritable or fail to grow. Severe UTIs may lead to an ultrasound that reveals an enlarged kidney.
Q3. Will my child need further tests after they are born?
Yes. For hydronephrosis in infants, an ultrasound is needed after birth. Doctors might also give preventive antibiotics to stop severe infections.
Q4. Will my child require an operation?
Depending on scan results, some children need surgery to improve drainage. The most common operation is a pyeloplasty to remove the blocked area. A small, temporary tube (stent) is left inside and removed months later.
Q5. What happens after the operation?
Most kids go home the next day. They usually stay on antibiotics until the stent is taken out. Thankfully, most children feel very comfortable after the surgery.
Conclusion
Kidney swelling can sound scary to parents, but with the right monitoring and medical care, most children recover perfectly.
To give your child the best care, book a consultation with a trusted pediatric surgeon in Hyderabad by visiting seeking help from none other than Dr. G. M. Irfan.
Dr. GM Irfan is a senior Pediatric and Laparoscopic Surgeon with 20+ years of experience in advanced surgical care for infants and children. He is a Gold Medalist in MCh (Paediatric Surgery), & holds MRCS (Edinburgh) and specialized training from IRCAD France.