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Urology (Expert Forum)
Re: 11 mo. old with VUR. Can antibiotic cause lack of appetite w/ slow weight gain?
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Re: 11 mo. old with VUR. Can antibiotic cause lack of appetite w/ slow weight gain?
by Cyndi__0__0, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Cyndi on January 04, 1999 at 03:08:37:
In Reply to: Re: 11 mo. old with VUR. Can antibiotic cause lack of appetite w/ slow weight gain? posted by Doug Bank on January 03, 1999 at 23:41:21:
: : My daughter was diagnosed with VUR, rated at about 3-3 1/2 in severity, on the left side at the age of 7 mo. She had two kidney infections that allerted my doctor to obtain a VCUG and renal ultrasound. She has been on Septra since. She had quite a bit of vomiting and spitting up on the antibiotics given for the first two infections. I am now concerned that the Septra is affecting her as well. She is falling off the growth chart where her weight is concerned and is still spitting up a lot and not eating or taking in fluids well. Would it be wise to try a new antibiotic or to suggest that maybe the surgery be performed? I have agonized over this for months as is it emotionally difficult to watch your baby seemingly deteriorate from a healthy, hearty newborn to a small, cranky infant. I just want her to enjoy life and not be so miserable!
Thanks,
: : Cyndi
A urinalysis revealed a high level of protein in Emily's urine today. I was told that it was 300+ on the dipstick. I don't know what that means. Blood work was done afterwards and results will be back tomorrow. What is proteinuria a symptom of? Could the reflux be causing damage to the kidney even though infection is not present? She has also lost weight, down from 17 lbs. 3 oz. to 16 lbs. 13 oz. Could this also be from the reflux or should we look elsewhere, ie. lactose intolerance? Please, educate me! We are going to a Nephrologist in a couple of weeks.
Thanks again,
: Cyndi
Hello. Me again. Just an update on the blood tests. She had a CBC and a SMAC, in which all levels were normal except for a slightly elevated albumin level. Could this be from damage that occured during the first two infections, or could infection have occured again that we were not aware of?
Cyndi
I'm not the doctor, so keep checking back for their answer.
I can't help you with most of your questions, but I did have a few comments. First of all, it is my understanding that children with Stage 3 or higher reflux tend to end up requiring surgery to fix the problem. It would be nice if you could wait, but if she is having problems with the antibiotics, then you may have to go for the surgery early.
My daughter took septra for a year without incident. It did not cure her kidney infection, but it did prevent any further infections.
I'm not really qualified to comment on her size, but seeing as my 2 year old is about 23 pounds, I can't see how your 7 month old is malnourished at 16 lbs 13 oz. (And this is not the daughter who had reflux, at least not this type of reflux...)
Good Luck!
Doug
Hi Doug. I failed to mention that my daughter is now a year old, this month. The main concern is not necessarily her weight, which is now off the growth chart, but the fact that she is losing weight. This is my third child and from what I know babies do not lose weight. She was actually up to over 17 1/2 lbs. My pediatrician is concerned, however, so I take that seriously. I do appreciate your comment. I am always happy to have feedback! Also, I have learned that her albumin levels were actually low, not high. Can you explain this?
Thank You,
Cyndi
In Reply to: Re: 11 mo. old with VUR. Can antibiotic cause lack of appetite w/ slow weight gain? posted by Doug Bank on January 03, 1999 at 23:41:21:
: : My daughter was diagnosed with VUR, rated at about 3-3 1/2 in severity, on the left side at the age of 7 mo. She had two kidney infections that allerted my doctor to obtain a VCUG and renal ultrasound. She has been on Septra since. She had quite a bit of vomiting and spitting up on the antibiotics given for the first two infections. I am now concerned that the Septra is affecting her as well. She is falling off the growth chart where her weight is concerned and is still spitting up a lot and not eating or taking in fluids well. Would it be wise to try a new antibiotic or to suggest that maybe the surgery be performed? I have agonized over this for months as is it emotionally difficult to watch your baby seemingly deteriorate from a healthy, hearty newborn to a small, cranky infant. I just want her to enjoy life and not be so miserable!
Thanks,
: : Cyndi
A urinalysis revealed a high level of protein in Emily's urine today. I was told that it was 300+ on the dipstick. I don't know what that means. Blood work was done afterwards and results will be back tomorrow. What is proteinuria a symptom of? Could the reflux be causing damage to the kidney even though infection is not present? She has also lost weight, down from 17 lbs. 3 oz. to 16 lbs. 13 oz. Could this also be from the reflux or should we look elsewhere, ie. lactose intolerance? Please, educate me! We are going to a Nephrologist in a couple of weeks.
Thanks again,
: Cyndi
Hello. Me again. Just an update on the blood tests. She had a CBC and a SMAC, in which all levels were normal except for a slightly elevated albumin level. Could this be from damage that occured during the first two infections, or could infection have occured again that we were not aware of?
Cyndi
I'm not the doctor, so keep checking back for their answer.
I can't help you with most of your questions, but I did have a few comments. First of all, it is my understanding that children with Stage 3 or higher reflux tend to end up requiring surgery to fix the problem. It would be nice if you could wait, but if she is having problems with the antibiotics, then you may have to go for the surgery early.
My daughter took septra for a year without incident. It did not cure her kidney infection, but it did prevent any further infections.
I'm not really qualified to comment on her size, but seeing as my 2 year old is about 23 pounds, I can't see how your 7 month old is malnourished at 16 lbs 13 oz. (And this is not the daughter who had reflux, at least not this type of reflux...)
Good Luck!
Doug
Hi Doug. I failed to mention that my daughter is now a year old, this month. The main concern is not necessarily her weight, which is now off the growth chart, but the fact that she is losing weight. This is my third child and from what I know babies do not lose weight. She was actually up to over 17 1/2 lbs. My pediatrician is concerned, however, so I take that seriously. I do appreciate your comment. I am always happy to have feedback! Also, I have learned that her albumin levels were actually low, not high. Can you explain this?
Thank You,
Cyndi
