Riley Update

Riley was diagnosed with a UTI infection a month and ago and was immediately scheduled for multiple tests due to the fact they a UTI is extremely uncommon in infants. The day finally came for the tests to be run and so Blake and I spent about 4 hours at Kosairs Children's Hospital this morning with our precious baby girl.

After waiting about 1 1/2 hours we were finally called back and a 30 minute ultrasound of her kydneys and bladder was performed. Riley did us proud! :) She smiled and laughed and chatted with the kind tech. Not a single tear or whine even though she was laying on a huge table with cold jelly being spread around on her belly. Her second test was not so much fun. The test involved a catheter and babies are not huge fans of those. :) (I guess that humans in general aren't fans of them.) The nurse took us into an x-ray room and they inserted the catheter and then we waited about 20 minutes(forever when you are trying to keep her from wiggling it out) for the doctor to come in to administer the 20 minute test. They filled Riley's bladder with a substance with dye in it and then watched how her bladder relieved it... Unfortunately for Riley it didn't go so well. We then had to wander back to the ultrasound room, because the computer lost the images and they had to redo the entire 30 minute process... She was not so chatty this time around. I can't believe that she napped after all of the suger water she took in while we attempted to keep her calm... :) Definitely ask for that if you ever end up with your infant at the children's hospital!

The Results: When Riley's bladder empties, some of it goes up into her kydneys. This can cause urinary tract infections(been there, done that), bladder infections, and permanent kydney damage. This can happen on one side or both.
The Severity: Riley has reflux on both sides of her bladder. The doctor that administered the test made it clear that it wasn't going to clear up over night. She used the word "surgery", though my understanding is they give it several years to correct itself before they go that route.
The Treatment: Riley is be placed(probably tomorrow) on low dose antibiotics for an extended period of time. This will help to sterilize the bacteria in her urine that causes the infections. They will retest Riley every year and until the test shows that it has corrected itself or she has surgery she will remain in the antibiotics - Doctor mentioned 4 or 5 years of age probably.

I will receive a call from the pediatrician tomorrow to discuss the plan and share with us the results of the ultrasound - Will update after that happens. Blake and I are so thankful for doctors who think to test an infants urine when it is so uncommon for a baby to have a UTI... for tests that diagnose... and medicine that will keep children healthy. All comes from God... Praise be to him for his graciousness.