Kidney Reflux - Hampton,VA

My 2 and 1/2 yr old was diagnosed with kidney reflux (grade 2, left kidney) this past March. The dr's wanted me to put her on Septra until it gotta better--a period of 1 to 3 years!!! I was not having that. Long term antibiotics destroy your body's good bacteria. So I asked my kidney specialist about the Deflux procedure. He agreed. While he was doing the procedure, he discovered my daughter also had grade 2 reflux in her right kidney, which they missed during the VCUG. The procedure went smoothly, the only pain my daughter had was the first 2 times she peed after the procedure. She had an ultrasound a month after the procedure make sure the gel stayed in place (it has an 85% success rate) and it had. She will have another VCUG in January to make sure the gel is still working. That route is my personal recommendation.

Hi there. I went through reflux with my daughter (who is now four and a half), although not to the same degree. You didn't really say what treatments she has been on. Is she on a propholactic anti-biotic? Is she having infections still? Does she have constipation associatedd with it? I can tell you how things turned out for us - my daughter was having breakthrough infections even on the antibiotics that she was taking daily, so we opted to have the Deflux proceedure done rather than surgery. It is a day proceedure, no cutting at all and they place a bit of gel at the ureter in order to prevent the urine from refluxing back to the kidney. For us, it worked. Katie has not had an infection since the proceedure a year ago and her last VCUG showed her to be reflux free. She is also completely potty trained now and I think that is a big thing that helps a bunch! Good luck. Let me know if you have any more questions. J.

I was born with kidney reflux and my daughter was at risk for it as well. When I had it, they had to operate to fix the problem. My understanding is that now they can fix it with with medications. The advances they have made since I had it are incredible -- just be sure you have a good doctor that you feel confident in. She'll be fine and keep us posted on how it goes!

I am sorry that I can't offer you more help with your kidney reflux question. My now 20 month old daughter who did have 2 kidney infections back to back just before we left Germany in October, but the tests for relux came back negative. We are in Goldsboro, NC now at Seymour-Johnson. What base are you at there in Virginia; Langley? Where in Germany were you? We were at Spangdahlem for 5 years, from Oct 01-Oct 06. I hope you get lots of advice on this subject. I know I was scared at just the thought. I was told that they put her on a long term anti biotic until she was older to see if she outgrew it and then they would so surgery to repair the valve. We were blessed not to have to do any of it.

I have never heard of Kidney reflux until I read this and I just want to say that your daughter and family are in my prayers that she gets well soon!!! {{HUGS}} to both of you!!

S.

Hi C. -

I am sorry you are having to go through this. Our son had grade 2 kidney reflux in both tubes when he was an infant (diagnosed at about 6 weeks old when he had a UTI). They had us give him antibiotics for one year and then retested him. It had cleared up in one tube and the other one had stayed the same. Because our urologist wanted to use as least antibiotics as possible, he took us off of them at that time. He has not had an UTI since - praise God. I'm sure they've told you the normal thing is for children to outgrow it pretty much. All I can tell you is what our doctors told us and recommended to us which was that unless it's grade 4 or 5, not to have surgery and just wait it out - and watch carefully to make sure she doesn't get a UTI in the meantime. There is still the possibility that your daughter will outgrow it - it just might take a long time. It's good that they caught it in the case of your daughter, as it often goes undiagnosed and then the kidneys get damaged and that damage can't be reversed. So at least you are on top of it. I hope you can take comfort in that. I pray that the Lord heals your daughter quickly. God bless you.

hello! we went down the same road with our now 4 yr old daughter email me at ____@____.com and i will tell you all you want to know about reflux hope to hear from you soon

My 4 year old daughter had kidney reflux in her left kidney. She was on Septra from 6 months of age ( to avoid infections) to age 3. Testing done every six months showed no improvement so last March she had corrective surgery and it totally corrected the kidney reflux. Good luck with your daughter. The surgery greatly outweighed my daughter having to go through a VCUG every six months.

Hi C.,
My daughter was diagnosed in utero with bilateral urinary/kidney reflux. She was born prematurely and was treated w/antibiotics until about 10 months old. The VCUG showed grade 5 on both sides!!! I was a nervous wreck! She spent a lot of time pre- surgery in the hospital with infections, but after the surgery has lived a completely normal life!
She had temporary stints put in her bladder on both sides and had to use two diapers for awhile. One to catch the urine draining form the stints and one for bowels.
The doctors warned that she could have trouble potty- training...but we never had an issue! She has done great!
She is now 7 years old. My all A STUDENT and doesnt even wet the bed anymore!
There is hope. And remember kids are so resilliant! It's the moms and dads who have to carry the pain and suffering their children go through.
Your little one will pull through just fine! And you will be stronger for it too! Keep your chin up and just love on that baby!
Best wishes!
K.

My daughter had that as well. They were able to determine that while I was still pregnant. The VCUG's are a little scary but there is medicine that they can give them to help open the tube a little bit ( wish I had more info on that ) my daughters pediatrician opted for the surgery at 6 weeks to reattach the uterer to her bladder. Best of luck..