Hello
I was wondering if anyone else has experienced renal reflux with a young child. My son was identified with a possible kidney problem at the routine 20 week ultrasound. Shortly after birth he had a VCUG and they diagnosed renal reflux - grade 5. He was started on preventative antibiotics daily. At 1 year, they retested and there was no change. They suggested surgery, but he seemed too young and hadn't had any incidents of infection so they agreed to wait another year. He just had his 2 year VCUG and just from the monitor in the radiology room, it's not looking good that it had progressed. We have an apt with the urologist next week. One friend has a son slightly younger that also has renal reflux and sees a nephologist as well as the urologist. She said her nephologist is tending toward being more conservative while the urologist (the same one we have) is more anxious to operate. My son has been put on every other day preventative antibiotics the past 6 months and still hasn't had any infections. I'm wondering if others have had experience with the surgery or have decided to wait and if you've gotten any positive news of self correction if you waited long enough. I don't want to put his kidneys at risk, but also don't want to rush into surgery either.
Hi H. if i were you i would get another opinion from another urologist. If the nephrologist is not in a rush and he hasnt had an infection get another opinion and see what they think. i wish you luck with your little guy and congrats on the upcoming new edition steph
Hi H.,
My 5yr old daughter was diagnosed with renal reflux grade 1 in her right kidney. Her urologist put her on antibiotic for 1 year that was in Jan 2006. A year later, Jan 2007, she had another VCUG and there was no signs of reflux. So, she has been taken off the antibiotics. During the year she was on the antibiotics, she did not have any UTI's. I gave her the antibiotics every night around bedtime.
I know your son has been diagnosed as a grade 5, but has the urologist ever put him on antibiotics for at least a year?
I wish you and your son well.
D.
My daughter has unrinary reflux. She was going to a nephrologist. Sometime last year she started refusing to take her medicine. We had an appointment to see our nephrologist a month later so I thought I'd let it go and check her urine at the appointment. The nephrologist wasn't ahppy with my choice to try her off meds, but agreed we would look at her urine. Her urine came back okay- not clear, but just moderately elevated amount of bacteria. So, from then on we've had her off meds and just check her urine and pay attention to symptoms. Of course there are many different degrees of reflux, and I'm not saying this is what you should do, but it can and does improve. Also, since I worked at the hospital, I got a chance to ask the other nephrologists and urologists how they handle and everyone gave a different answer. If you're feeling your guy is a little surgery happy (this is where the big bucks come in by the way), go for a second opinion or see what the nephrologist has to say. Good luck!
My niece had renal reflux and was on preventative antibiotics at 2 and 3. She is now 14 and fine. She never had any surgery, although it was discussed. I know that is not much help, but I wanted you to know kids can and do outgrow it.
