What does hydronephrosis
mean?
Hydronephrosis means that there
is a slight swelling of the kidney
pelvis that is the central collecting
area for urine.
The urine collects here before
passing down the ureter (tube) to
the bladder. The measurement of
this collecting area in babies who
have mild hydronephrosis is
normally less than 7mm. If it is
more than 7mm your baby will
need further investigation.
Diagram showing normal kidneys
Normal pelvis of kidney
What will my baby need?
Your baby will have a careful
paediatric examination within the
first 24 hours of birth.
They will need a low dose of an
antibiotic called Trimethoprim
once daily from birth until tests
have clarified the situation.
This medicine provides important
protection and is considered very
safe. Long term treatment does
not increase the risk of infections
later, and does not usually lead
to any problems with antibiotic
resistance.
The medicine is in liquid form and
the dose will need to be
increased as the baby puts on
weight.
to see your paediatric consultant
when your baby is about eight
weeks old.
Meanwhile an ultrasound
examination (scan) as an
outpatient will be arranged for
when your baby is about six
weeks old.
If the ultrasound examination
shows that the swelling in the
kidneys has disappeared, then
the antibiotics can be stopped
and no more follow-up is needed.
This is the case in about one in
three babies who have mild
antenatal hydronephrosis.
Diagram of kidneys with
hydronephrosis
WideneddPelvis
You will be provided with an initial
supply of Trimethoprim when you
go home.
You will need to obtain more
supplies from your family doctor
until your paediatrician tells you it
may be stopped.
Opening of ureter
Bladder
Ureter
Most babies hardly ever have a
serious obstruction to the flow of
urine.
Your baby can be discharged
home in the normal way, and you
will receive a clinic appointment
Abnormal opening of ureter
Urine flowing back up ureter
If the scan shows that the swelling is
still there, then we will need to check
for any underlying cause, such as a
blockage to the flow of urine from
the kidneys, or backflow (reflux) of
urine from the bladder towards the
kidneys (see diagram).
If your baby is in the small group of
those who develop more severe
hydro-nephrosis, then we will
discuss the care and treatment with
Dr Mohan Shenoy, consultant
paediatric nephrologist.
Dr Shenoy is a specialist from The
Royal Manchester Children’s
Hospital who holds regular clinics
here in Macclesfield.
Your baby’s ultrasound examination
will take place
on______________________
Supervisors of Midwives
Supervisors of Midwives offer
professional leadership to support and
guide midwives in providing a safe and
quality service to protect mothers and
babies. They can also act as an
advocate for women and their families.
If you would like to discuss the
information in this leaflet or any aspect
of your care with a Supervisor of
Midwives please telephone:
01625 661145 / 661153
and ask to speak to a
Supervisor of Midwives.
Comments, compliments or
complaints
We welcome any suggestions you have
about the quality of our care and our
services.
Contact us:
Freephone:
0800 1613997
Phone:
01625 661449
Textphone:
01625 663723
Antenatal
Hydronephrosis
Customer Care, Reception,
Macclesfield District General Hospital,
Victoria Road, SK10 3BL For large
Information for parents
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Ref:10882 Review: 04 /2016