Is Leading A Normal Life A Possibility While Having Congenital Solitary Kidney?

Posted on Thu, 28 Sep 2017

Question: Hi Sir ,

My baby was born on August 27th - 2017 morning 9:32 AM . We had scans initially during pregnancy and they could not identity right kidney and later doctor said let check after birth and not to Panic . Later after birth they had done a SCAN and they concluded that there is no Right Kidney and asked her to get a DSSM scan done after 6 weeks which gives more accuracy .
They confirmed all other organs are good and its been 5 days now and he is able to Urinate and Poop without any issues .
My question is : What are the precautions needs to be taken during growth of the baby as he has only one left kidney ?
Will he have any issues while growing :
Do we need to focus on any special diet for the baby during growing age :
Can heplay sports without any issues during schooling and adult age
Can he live life like everyone else :
Do we need to take any necessary precautions :
Do we need to get any frequent scans done every year and what scan and within what time we need to get the scan done ?

The above question is for Baby Boy

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
One can live a normal life with single kidney

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for asking on this platform
I have gone through the query and do understand your concern.
I want to say here that you need not to get overly worried as one can live a fully normal life even with a single kidney. The incidence of single kidney is 1 in 500 birth and many of them don't even aware of that till later in their life till this is detected during routine scan.When one can live with one liver and one spleen then why not with one kidney.
The growth and other things are normal in compare to person with two kidney. The other kidney may increase in size to cover up the function of absent kidney.
The extra care needs to be given for single kidney. Yearly routine urine test and blood pressure measurement while kidney function test should be done every two to three years.
Scan is needed to confirm the diagnosis as there may be ectopic (at a different place) kidney or remnant of tissues may be there.
Frequent scan are not needed if there is no significant complaints like abnormal urinary report or urinary tract infection.
Regarding diet a normal healthy diet should be taken with less salt and plenty of fluids. No specific dietery restriction is needed.
Person should avoid contact sports like football, volleyball, martial art or wrestling where there is increased chance of injury.

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (7 hours later)

Thanks a lot for your response :)

When you said "Scan is needed to confirm the diagnosis as there may be ectopic (at a different place) kidney or remnant of tissues may be there. " What scan is required ?

Before discharge i.e August 29th they have performed Ultra Sound to check the Kidney however still they could not find the right kidney and Ultra sound gives 99 Percent result and later Doctor has advised to go for DMSA Scan after 6 weeks which will give 100 percent accurate result however do you recommend this scan as we are thinking maybe we can get this done after 6 months ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
From scan I meant DMSA scan only

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up

From scan I meant DMSA scan only. I would prefer to get it done earlier as advised by your doctor.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng