The Information centre is a resource that is created by the users of Parentsown.co.uk.
If you have information (white papers, useful links, studies, advice etc) that you think other parents could benefit from add a page (using the link below) to create a new page in the Urology - Urinary and Kidney Conditions Information centre book.
All links will automatically turn in to a web link, and you can attach files (pdf's, Word documents etc) if you wish.
The more pages we add the more information there will be for parents to search on.
If your child is taking ACE Inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme) then you may find the following article interesting - it's written by UCL Institute of Child Health - and covers what ACE Inhibitors are, how they work, how to take them and possible side effects.
To read the full article visit:
http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/medicines_ace_...
UCL lnstitute of Child Health have produced an information leaflet about bladder augmentation which you may find helpful. The leaflet covers; why the operation may be needed, what will happen before and during the operation, alternative treatments, catheters and aftercare.
You can read the leaflet by following this link:
http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/bladder_augmen...
If your child has been diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure then you may like to read the UCL Institute for Child Health information leaflet - it covers; what is renal failure, causes of it, measuring how well the kidneys are working, tests and surgery, dialysis and transplant and lots more.
To read the article follow this link:
http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/chronic_renal_fa...
If your child has been diagnosed with Cortisol Deficiency then you may find the UCL Institute of Child Health factsheet useful - it covers; what the adrenal glands do, what cortisol defiiciency is, medication, side effects, immunisations, accidents and injuries and much more.
Follow this link:
http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/cortisol_deficie...
If your child is awaiting a Cystoscopy then you may like to read the UCL Institute of Child Health factsheet which explains what the urinary system does, why cystoscopy is needed, what happens during the test, risks and what happens afterwards.
The link is:
http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/cystoscopy/cysto...
If you are interested in reading more about foreskin problems and would like to investigate alternatives to circumcision then you may like to look at the Norm-UK website. It also gives information about 'ballooning of the foreskin' and phimosis.
The link is:
http://www.norm-uk.org/circumcision_alternative_treatments.html
If your child is waiting for a DMSA scan they you may want to read information about how the procedure is done and what to expect. I've found some information leaflets that may help and the links are given below.
My son has had a DMSA twice and I just wanted to reassure parents that it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. The first time, my son was just a baby and he did get a bit upset during the scan but i took toys to entertain him (lights and music worked best). Second time he was a toddler and we were leant a portable DVD player and he was able to watch it whilst lying in the scanner. I also took a new toy for him to play with (there's quite a bit of waiting about between the injection and the scan) and a special present for him to unwrap the minute it was all over. As he was encouraged to drink, i also made sure i took his favourite drinks along.
the links that may help you are:
http://www.southend.nhs.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2E934073-1E16-42A8-935A-D916AB98...
http://www.tamesidehospital.nhs.uk/Documents/dmsapaediatric.pdf
I came across a guidance booklet, written by The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals called 'Investigating Urinary Tract Infections in Children'. It covers all the normal steps taken to investigate UTI's within the NHS and also outlines results and what they may indicate. It covers the main investigations - DMSA, MCU (micturating cysto-urethrogram), ultrasounds and other tests. It may make interesting reading for any parent worried about their child suffering repetitive UTI's.
To read the full guidance booklet, follow this link:
http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/downloads/clinical-guidelines/Chil...
The UK National Kidney Foundation have produced a Family guide about children suffering from recurrent UTI's. It covers, what a UTI is, symptoms, what to do if you think your child has one, what investigations may be needed and how to prepare your child for the tests, what you can do to reduce fruther infections and what to do if tests show your child has reflux.
If you'd like to read the family guide then follow this link:
If you'd like information on looking after your childs urethral catheter then you could read this article written by UCL Institute of Child Health:
http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/catheter_urethra...
It covers topics such as: why a catheter is used, the equipment, instructions for using it along with emptying and changing the bag, as well as information on when to call the hospital or your GP.
My son had an MCU done a few years ago and I thought this information leaflet written by Kidshealth may help other parents waiting for their child to have an MCU. It also gives tips on how ot help prepare your child.
Just to reassure you, the MCU wasn't anywhere near as bad as i thought it would be and my son coped well with it.
The link is:
http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/contentpage/pi_id/251
If you have been told your child will need catheterisation using the Mitrofanoff procedure then you may like to read the UCL Institute of Child Health information sheet. Although written for parents at Great Ormond Street Hospital, it may make useful reading for other parents.
The information sheet coverswhat a Mitrofanoff is, what happens during the operation and what to expect afterwards.
You can read the information sheet by following this link:
http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/catheter_mitro...
Published in 2007, this guidance booklet offers information for families including: standards of care, explanations of UTI’s, treatments and investigations.
The booklet describes UTI’s as a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. These infections need to be treated quickly to stop them affecting your childs kidneys.
Symptoms can include some of the following;
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Tiredness
• Irritability
• Not feeding well
• Not gaining weight properly
• Jaundice (infants only)
• Pain when passing urine
• Needing to pass urine frequently
• Wetting
• Tummy pain
• Pain in the side
• Unpleasant smelling urine
• Blood in the urine
If a urine test is positive then your child will be treated with antibiotics. Babies under 3 months will be referred to a paediatric specialist and your child may be given intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment. For babies and children over 3 months, where the infection does not involve the kidneys, you will probably be given oral antibotics. Children with a kidney infection may need to stay in hospital
Your child may be sent for further tests following the UTI – this could include an ultrasound scan to check the kidneys and bladder are working properly. There are other tests that may need to be done.
To read the full publication visit:
Posterior urethral valves (also known as PUV - refers to a condition found in boys where their is a blockage in the urethra near the bladder). If your son has this condition then you may like to read the information leaflet written by ICH INstitute for Child Health which covers what PUV is, symptoms, how it's diagnosed, causes and treatments.
To read the leaflet, follow this link:
http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/posterior_uret...
Ureteral re-implantation is sometimes used to correct Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and involves disconnecting then urethra and then reconnecting it to the bladder in it's correct position.
If your child is due to have a ureteral re-implantation then you may like to read the ICH Institute for Child Health information leafet which covers what the operation invovles, alternatives, risks, and what happens before and after the operation (including aftercare).
To read this article - follow the link:
http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/ureteric_reimp...
Hi
Thought I'd give some reassurance to parents out there whose kids are having recurrent UTI's and are awaiting medical tests.
My son had about 4 UTI's in his first year alone - his first was when he was just 3 weeks old. He was given 3 months of prophalyctic antibiotics and then we went for 3 tests to check his kidneys - he had a DMSA, an ultrasound and a procedure where they put die up into his urethra.
I was so so worried about these tests being done to him at just 4 months old but I have to say he coped brilliantly! I was able to touch him throughout and play with him and the staff were really understanding.
The ultrasound was straight forward and fast so he barely complained. They just checked his kidneys weren't damaged. The DMSA involved a canula being put into his arm, a radioactive die (I was reassured it was less radioactive than other things we are exposed to in life) was put into the canula and then we were sent away for a few hours. When we came back for the scan, he was placed on a scaning machine that slowly went round his body building up an image. It did take about 30minutes though.
The test my son didn't like was the die into the urethra - he did cry when they inserted the catheta as he was too young for any local anaesthetic. However, it was quite quick after they did that bit and they just used a scanner to check that there wasn't any reflux back into the kidneys.
He had the same tests done again when he was about 2 and again he coped extremely well. My top tip was taking a portable DVD with his favourite film and I let him watch it whilst the DMSA scan was done (as 30minutes in the scanner is a long time).
The tests came back fine both times and his UTI's stopped when he was just over 2. We think they may have been because he drank very little (due to severe gastro reflux) and the UTI's often followed illnesses during which he'd refuse fluids. I'd get so desperate that i'd have to resort to syringing a few ml's of water at a time into his mouth, all day long!
Anyway, i hope this has reassured any parents out there who have just been told their child needs these 3 tests - it will honestly not be as bad as you are thinking.
Kitty
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation/mentalhealthandgrowingu...
enuresis resource and information centre www.enuresis.org.uk
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/bedwetting.htm
www.britishurologicalfoundation.org.uk
Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence
www.eric.org.uk
0845 3708008
Kidney Research UK
www.kidneyresearchuk.org
0845 3001499