Monday, June 8, 2009

Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney....

Well one thing is for sure...we don't take the easy route ever!

We went for our level two ultrasound today, which I thought meant different and easier to see pictures. Nope it means that the person conducting the ultrasound is very good at finding problems, and has lots of training. The doctor of maternal and fetal medicine comes in at the end to double check and explain everything to us.

We went to this ultrasound because Reid only has a two vessel umblical cord, where there should be three. The techinician was very nice, and we got to see some very cool shots of our little guy, some in 4D. It is sureal while you are sitting there, and you wonder to yourself if they are making small talk with you while they know that there could be something seriously wrong with your baby. They are not allowed to discuss what they find, so you are analyzing every comment they make and wondering what they are seeing. I can't understand still how they are able to see tiny little problems in our tiny little babies with a blury black and white photo.

Reid has what they call unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney (on his left kidney). The doctor told us this was good news because....
#1 you only need one kidney
#2 the right kidney looks healthy
#3 this rarely effects both sides, and both kidneys
#4 this is a clear reason for the 2V cord, and they do not expect it to cause other problems
#5 multicystic dysplastic kidney is rarely a marker for other problems (like downs, or chromosome problems) and is normally an isolated anomality.

From my google search, 50% of these babies have another condition in the bladder, urinary tract or kidney. Normally they are all corrected by observation or minor surgery. Reid is making plenty of urine with his right kidney. The effected kidney could have little or no function. It should not present any problem later in life, but if it does, they will simply remove it.

We have been told to contact the associate of pediatric urology at Texas Childrens. I will have an appointment with him most likely before the baby is born, so we can know what to expect and what will be done. He will also be able to tell us if they expect any degree of functioning from this one kidney. He will be examined after he is born, and have follow up tests done every 6 months to a year.

The doctor told me this should not effect our birth plan (for a natural birth). I will return to see her every 4 weeks until he gets here to make sure there is not any growth restrictions or any other problems. Reid weighed in at 3lbs 2oz, 8 oz up from a week ago.

I will keep you all updated, but this is all good news for the most part! Praise God for a good diagnosis, that can have our little guy live a normal and healthy life. On to the next hurdle.....


He is still a boy!

In case we wanted to see his scrotum in 4D!

Face

Profile

Little face photo

Foot

Leg and foot

2 comments:

Aubrey said...

I think he actually looks like mase. Especially his nose.

LilyWhite said...

Wow. I am amazed and speechless. So glad for you guys that Reid is okay... I will pray for your family...