Options for foetus with likely renal failure

In my 20th week ultrasound, they found enlarged bladder & dialated kidneys in the baby. We were referred to a perinatologist, who conducted 3 aminocentesis to test the quality of the baby's urine. After the 3rd, he said that the kidneys have probably been damaged, and there's a likelihood of renal failure. He said he can place a shunt if we want to continue with the pregnancy.
Have any of you heard or experienced something like this? Do you know what are the likely results if we continue with it? Can babies survive with this? How long? What options are out there to fix this post delivery??

Please let me know.

Thanks.

[jsang083]

I do not know much about this, but my sister is having similar issues with her pregnancy.  The baby has dialated kidneys, but not an enlarged bladder, and the baby has a cist in its abdomen.  My sister was told that there was a risk of Spina Bifida or Downs Syndrome.  Apparently there are 8 "targets" that they look for; however, her baby only has one of those targets so far (the enlarged kidneys).  Talk to your doctor about these risks as well, especially if you are over 30 years of age.  

Her doctor also told her that kidney enlargement usually fixes itself before birth, so there may be no harm to the baby at all.  I am not sure what the results of the urine tests showed, but I find it stranged that he thinks that baby would have kidney failure.

I myself have had kidney surgery and they had to put in a stint to ensure proper draining of the kidney into the bladder.  I am not sure of fetal risk, but usually stunts are not painful and provide a lot of help for people.  Talk to your doctor about the risks of the shunt, and ask about some statistics; doctors tend to leave you lingering if you don't ask questiong.  ASK ASK ASK!!!

I know this didn't answer your question, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not along, and I am sure there is a lot of information online as well about this.

Good luck with everything.