Fluid in Baby's Kidney

Dr. Elizabeth Pryor answers the question, Is the fluid in my unborn baby's kidney a dangerous problem?
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Question

I'm 29 weeks pregnant with a boy. During my sonogram the doctor saw fluid in the kidney. What does this mean?

Answer

Fluid in the kidney is a common finding on ultrasounds, especially with boys. The fluid is usually because of the "male plumbing" and sometimes the fluid does not drain as well. So long as there is fluid around the baby and the kidneys otherwise look normal, it should not be a problem.

The doctor should measure the fluid in the kidney by ultrasound once a month to make sure that there is not increased fluid.

Usually all that is necessary is an ultrasound of the baby's kidneys once he is born.

 

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.

 

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Comments
Comments (9)
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littyjos1 wrote:

I had the same problem with my second child. Male children have more of this issue than girl babies. He was diagnosed with this problem when I was 6 months pregnant. At birth, a sonogram was done and a test for urine reflux. Later at 3 months a full test with radio isotope was done. The fluid was draining properly and he is fine now. I also went through my anxious moments. Most of the cases resolve by themselves. I have shared my experience at my2kidsandme.com

12/7/2011 08:12:24 AM Report Abuse
tsettles2297756 wrote:

cont....I dont know if this problem can return or not. Does anyone know the possibilities of that? I am very nervous and hopefully its not this issue or worse. Any suggestions thoughts??? Especially with one working with one kidney this is nerve racking to say the least

12/9/2010 07:54:15 PM Report Abuse
tsettles2297756 wrote:

Surgery would have been done at 6 months if still was an issue this is a very danagerous surgery but rare. thank god the fluid went away on its own.But now 4 we are going tomm @ the Dr-she is not urinating enough. other then that issue ,complaing of stomach pain 4 the past few days,sleeping a little more then usuall she is normal cont

12/9/2010 07:54:06 PM Report Abuse
tsettles2297756 wrote:

I have a 4 year old daughter and she was born with one kidney and fluid in the other one. She was given antibiotics as soon as she was born to prevent any infection. The urologists explained to me that she was to little to do anything they had to give it time and checked her every couple of months up until she was 6 months old. cont..

12/9/2010 07:51:49 PM Report Abuse
mumof3 wrote:

part 3- the kidneys aren't back washing they then look for an obstruction, and if not that then they look for more serious reasons but usually u/s tells them right away how serious it is. Mostly nothing to worry about, but the keep is stopping infection before it happens!!!

6/25/2010 07:42:43 AM Report Abuse
mumof3 wrote:

(part 2 and i mean i was 37 weeks not 27 sorry) when the pee backwashes it causes the abnomal size of kidnesy , like inflammation and can cause bladder or kidney infections. In my case when my baby is born they will U/s the babies kidneys and they will insert a catheter to see if it backwashing as well as give antibiotics right away to avoid infection, babies cannot fight infection as well as wel can! Sometimes this condition is caused by an obstruction in the tube kidney area as well so if

6/25/2010 07:41:37 AM Report Abuse
mumof3 wrote:

i am 27 weeks pregnant and have been having a series of U/s to look at the babies kidneys. this is the number one abnormalty found in u/s and its 5 times more common in boys than girls. they determine the severity of this on a scale of 1-5 in a way 1 begin mild 5 being more serious! Basically what happens is the tube that brings urine from kidneys to bladder has a valve that then traps the urine in the bladder and pee SHOULD be going out. what happens is some times that pee backwashes

6/25/2010 07:38:58 AM Report Abuse
mikejode wrote:

I am 33 weeks pregnant with a little girl and have just been advised that my baby has a dilated kidney, should I be having a follow up ultrasound before my due date (7 weeks to go. I would like to know any tests that are available to me that would determine or shed more light on the problem. Look forward to your reply.

4/13/2010 08:36:45 PM Report Abuse
tfairbanks2 wrote:

My granddaughter is due in a month. The sonogram saw what looks like an extra kidney. What happens now? Is it serious?

10/7/2009 03:05:39 PM Report Abuse
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