My 4 month old son had a urinary tract infection. I guess this is pretty rare for a boy under age 5 so he has to undergo further testing. He has to get an ultrasound of his kidneys and a VCUG. I am really worried. Has anyone been through this before?
my two older kids had to go through that, they were both in early elementry school at the time so it was kind of embarrassing to them at the time but it was painless and fast. Everything was fine and they never had problems since.
My son also had a uti at 2 months of age. The VCUG which tests for urinary reflux was actually pretty low stress. The ultrasound was even easier! My son didn't cry at all. I believe for the VCUG he had to drink some barium and then he laid on the xray table and the second he peed they took several xrays. My son is now a year old so I don't remember exactly the procedure but i think i'm pretty close. All I remember is it was not too bad at all. Good luck!! By the way my sons test was normal and he hasn't had a uti since!
All three of my kids have had these done, several times. It was by far the easiest when they were babies. My daughter got a really bad UTI when she was 3 months old, so all my children have been tested for reflux. Unfortunately, both my girls had it so they had to be retested until it was gone. It's a fairly quick procedure for a baby, my son's probably took 10 minutes at the most. It's much harder when they are older and more aware. I wouldn't fret too much, it will be much worse on you than him. And yes, get it done at a Children's hospital. They are experts in kids and it makes a world of difference. Good luck and hang in there. Just know you definitely aren't alone!
It is rare for a boy to have these. But good news is that at 4 months your son won't even remember and probably won't realize what all is going on. It's not comfortable for the VCUG (the ultrasound is nothing at all to it) and for older kids can hurt. I know when my (now 6 year old) was 3 months old had one he didn't even realize what was going on and could care less. I agree though - have it done at a pediatric facility. They are so much better equipped for this at this age.
My daughter had a VCUG done right before 3 yrs of age. She did really well. We had them give her nitrous gas for the catheter insertion, and I think that made all the difference. During the procedure she was fine, until getting uncomfortable with a full bladder and then the removal of the catheter when done. She had to urinate the catheter out basically, and she became panicked. But she did it. That was about a year ago now, not sure if she even remembers it now. She wasn't traumatized. She had low grade urine reflux though and she is still on prophalactic antibiotic. The staff at Children's Hosp in St. Paul is great.
For older kids who know more what's going on the VCUG can be kind of difficult. It also can be a pretty simple procedure. It depends on the child (and somewhat on the medical staff.) However, my youngest daughter had this done at 4 months and it really was no big deal for her. (My other two had it done at 4 & 5 and they were fine too.) The worst part is the insertion of the catheter and (depending on their mood, etc.) the fact that you put them down and don't pick them back up when they want it.
In response to Tiphanie's post - Unfortunately for her, her child at it done at probably one of the worst ages (old enough to know something unusual and uncomfortable is happening, but not old enough to really understand it.) My daughter had to have rechecks at 1 and 2 and the one when she was 2 was the worst, though still fairly nontraumatizing. Your son probably won't really know what's going on. He may cry, but it won't be horribly traumatic and it will be over quickly. Good luck!
My oldest whom is now 1. probably had the procedure done about a dozen times. At our Children's hospital they gave her a paccifier with some medication on it and inserted the contrast. There was some screaming but I was not alowed to be in the room. At that time she was around 1. She had them until she was 2 and done with her surgeries. And she also had one at about age 5 but they sedated her at that time. The procedure had no ill side effects. The utltrasound is the same kind you have when you are pregnant. They put jelly on the belly and take pictures. It causes no pain to the child. My daughter wore this thing to help keep her still though.
She had two surgeries as a baby and is doing great now at 1..
My son has to have it done every year and its not that bad at all. Good luck!!
My 5 month old had it done due to a kidney infection. The cathether For the VCUG made her scream but otherwise the procedure was painless for her. It turns out she had an obstruction in her ureter that had to be removed, not reflux. We were at Childrens in St Paul and I highly recommend them. You'll be in good hands if you can go there.
My son went through this when he was 6 months. I still remebered that the VCUG was painful. But it just took very short time and he would forget it when it was done. A experienced nurse would help a lot. After taking the antibiotic, the sympotoms would be gone very soon. Your son will be fine.
My 2 yr old has VUR. She first had these tests at 1 1/2 yrs. The ultasound was simple. The VCUG sucks. I would recomend doing it at a childrens hospital where they have a nurse who is really good at pediactric cathiters. Good luck.
