Kidneys

We made our way to CMH for three clinic visits all about Faith's Kidney's yesterday.  In January 2011 Faith had all three of these tests done and we found out that one of her kidney's has a slight reflux, grade 2 out of 5.  They told us not to really worry about it, that sometimes they will fix themselves.  So we did what they said and didn't even think twice about the reflux.  As I said yesterday we went and did the same three tests.  We did not speak with our kidney doctor, he is suppose to be calling us on Friday with more information.  The first study that was done was a Urodynamic/Uroflow study.  This shows how much urine Faith holds before letting it release into her diaper.  They also test her urine to see if there in any infection.  The second study was a Renal Ultrasound.  They took pictures of Faith's kidneys and bladder.  The third was a Coiding Cystogram.  This is where they take x-rays of her kidneys and bladder with urine in them, while the urine is coming out, and while the bladder is empty.  We were told yesterday that when you have a reflux in your kidney your bladder in never really empty.  Right after the last study with the x-rays that Doctor was able to tell us what he saw in the x-rays he took.  I WAS NOT NOT NOT EXPECTING WHAT HE SAID NEXT... The reflux in her right side was a 2 and is now a 5 (the worst grade) and the left side (which before had no reflux) is now a 4.  He went on to tell us a few options on what the kidney doctor might say but he also said before you repeat these options I would speak with him first.  We were about to leave the x-ray room when the first nurse who did the Urodynamic/Uroflow came back into the room holding a basket with a needle in it.  She then explained that Faith's urine had come back positive for bacteria.  Since she had so many different things done to her kidneys today that this shot of some short of antibiotic would help her.

Definition: By Mayo Clinic Staff....

Vesicoureteral (ves-ih-koe-yoo-REE-ter-ul) reflux is the abnormal flow of urine from your bladder back up the tubes (ureters) that connect your kidneys to your bladder. Normally, urine flows only down from your kidneys to your bladder.
Vesicoureteral reflux is usually diagnosed in infants and children. The disorder increases the risk of urinary tract infections, which, if left untreated, can lead to kidney damage.
Vesicoureteral reflux can be primary or secondary. Children with primary vesicoureteral reflux are born with a defect in the valve that normally prevents urine from flowing backward from the bladder into the ureters. Secondary vesicoureteral reflux is due to a urinary tract malfunction, often caused by infection.
Children may outgrow primary vesicoureteral reflux. Treatment, which includes medication or surgery, aims at preventing kidney damage.