Kate has been suffering from a kidney infection since Christmas. At first we thought it was a UTI. But every time she stopped antibiotics the infection would come back. After the 3rd time the Dr ordered an US and a VCUG. The US showed a severe kidney infection on her right kidney and a mild infection on her left. The VCUG is a test where they put a catheter in her, injected dye into her bladder and watch to see if the dye stays in the bladder or goes up to her kidneys. It is not suppose to go up the ureters to the kidneys. Kate's does. This is called vesiculouretral reflux. Untreated this can lead to kidney damage, scarring and kidney failure. We were referred to primary children urology. About 50% of kids with Grade 3 reflux (kate's grade) will grow out of it on their own. The other 50% require surgery to fix this. If we can keep infection out of the kidney then we can protect it and wait to see if she will grow out. For now Kate is on a daily antibiotic to prevent the growth of infection. If she gets an infection while on the prophylactic antibiotic then she will have to have the surgery soon. If she doesn't get any infections while on it then she is going to have a test in a year to see if the reflux is gone or still there. She has been on the prophylactic antibiotics for 3 weeks. I have tested her urine twice in that time thinking the infection was back. She complains of pain when she pees and holding her stomach. So far both those urine cultures were negative. For now it is a waiting game to see what will happen. Poor girl has been through to much in her short 2 years. But I keep telling my self at least this is curable unlike other terrible things that kids can get (i.e cancer, diabetes)
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| Before getting the ultrasound |
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| Before any test were done |
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| A pretend fish tank in the lobby of primary childrens radiology |
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