What does this mean?

Question

The doctor just told us that my newborn nephew has water in his kidney's. What does it mean? Can anyone tell me? He has an ultrasound but I would like to know what water in his kidney means. Thanks for your answers.

Answer 1

He probably means that your nephew has hydronephrosis, a dilitation of the pelvis of the kidney, usually due to an obstruction of the ureter, the tube leading from the kidney to the bladder. There are different degrees of severity, and the hydronephrosis may be in one or in both kidneys. Hydronephrosis may cause damage to the kidney if it is severe. Fixing the obstruction, assuming that is the cause, will stop the progression of kidney damage.

If your nephew is in a town where there is not a pediatric urologic surgeon, recommend that his parents ask for a consultation with one at a major medical center.

Answer 2

You need to ask the doctor for clarification. He or she could be referring to many conditions. See this website for more information:

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/kidney/kidney_diseases_childhood.html

Tell the doctor that you want to research and understand what is happening with your nephew, but that to do so you will need the medical term for the condition.

Good luck to you, your nephew, and your family!