Your child needs a complete and accurate diagnosis in order to receive the appropriate treatment. To establish the nature and cause of a child’s condition, the doctor will recommend that your child undergo the following tests:
Ultrasound
The first test that your child will undergo will likely be a renal ultrasound. Through the images taken, the doctor can closely examine your child’s kidneys. The findings from the ultrasound will help determine if further tests are needed.
Voiding cystourethrogram
This x-ray imaging procedure takes a close look at the bladder to examine as it empties. This helps determine if there is urine reflux, which is one of the common causes of hydronephrosis. This can also check if there is blockage in the urethra. Using a catheter, the child’s bladder will be filled with a liquid dye that contains iodine. The x-ray images will show the flow of the liquid dye as the bladder fills and the child urinates.
Renal scan
Your child may also be required to undergo a renal or kidney scan to check the kidneys and examine any blockage in the urinary tract. In a renal scan, a small amount of radioactive material will be injected into the bloodstream. With the help of a special camera, the doctor will check how the kidneys function as the radioactive material moves through them.
Prenatal testing
Through a routine prenatal ultrasound, hydronephrosis may be detected even while before your child’s birth. A prenatal ultrasound will show the shape and size of your baby’s kidneys and the amount of amniotic fluid. It also can help reveal obstructions in the urinary system.