Enlarged kidneys in babies

Enlarged kidneys in a baby usually means that ultrasound shows widening of the renal pelvis or other parts of the urinary tract because urine is collecting there. Many mild dilations resolve on their own, but blockage or backward urine flow can cause infection and kidney damage; planned scans and prompt assessment of fever, poor feeding or little urine are therefore important.

• Many babies have no visible symptoms, and the abnormality is found only on a pregnancy or follow-up scan.
• Fever, irritability, drowsiness, poor feeding, vomiting or poor growth may indicate a urinary tract infection; babies often lack typical urinary symptoms.
• Keep the prenatal ultrasound result and, before discharge, note who will request the follow-up scan, when it should happen and who will discuss the result.
• If needed, count wet nappies and monitor feeding, alertness, temperature and weight; compare with your baby's usual pattern.
• Call immediately for a baby under three months with a temperature of 38.0 °C or higher, a low temperature, poor feeding, repeated vomiting, drowsiness, inconsolable crying or clearly fewer wet nappies. For an older baby, call the same day for these signs.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.