MCUG results - NO MORE REFLUX!

Today Jayden had to go for his third MCUG (micturating cysto-urethrogram) test at Mount Alvernia Hospital (MAH). An anxious morning and $395 later, we received the good news - Jayden has no more reflux!

It all started in January 2007 when Jayden had fever. He was 8 months old then. I brought him to see the neighbourhood doctor Dr Gregory Leong who prescribed the usual fever medicine. Although Jayden's fever subsided after a few days, it came back again on and off. This was rather worrisome so I brought Jayden to see his paediatrician Dr Lee at Kinder Clinic, MAH. She suspected it might be urinary tract infection (UTI) and recommended a urine test. Urine test results confirmed Jayden had UTI so he was put on antibiotics. Dr Lee mentioned that children with UTI can sometimes have other complications and recommended that further tests be done. I was not keen as I did not think Jayden would be so unlucky.

On another occasion I brought Jayden to see Dr Leong for an eye infection and mentioned his UTI problem. Dr Leong advised me to do further testing as every instance of UTI must be taken seriously. That's when I decided to do the further tests recommended by Dr Lee. Jayden went for his first MCUG at MAH in March 2007. First he was given sedation syrup as the test can only be carried out when the child is asleep. The procedure involves inserting a catheter through his penis into the bladder and then injecting a dye. X-rays are then taken to see if the dye moves up towards the kidney.

To our great horror, the MCUG test revealed that Jayden has vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). This is a condition that causes urine to move backwards from the bladder, through one or both of the ureters, and up to the kidneys. Reflux may be mild (Grades I - III), or moderate to severe (Grades IV - V). Unfortunately, Jayden had Grade V reflux and would need surgery to correct the problem that is causing the reflux, otherwise he would suffer kidney damage eventually. He also had another test done at a later date at KK hospital to check for renal scarring (or kidney damage).
(For more details about VUR, go to http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/conditions/vesicoureteral_reflux.html)

Dr Lee then recommended a paediatric surgeon Dr Cheah, based in Gleneages hospital, who was experienced with urology cases. We met up with him and he explained how the surgery for ureteral reimplantation would be carried out. It all sounded so complex to me but all I needed was the assurance that everything would be ok after surgery. Dr Cheah assured my husband and I that the surgery was quite straightforward and would correct the problem of reflux.

With that, we arranged a date for surgery the following week and Jayden was admitted into MAH on 27 March 2007. It was the longest wait of our lives as we anxiously paced outside the operating theatre (like in the movies, you know) waiting for it to be over. When Jayden was wheeled out, his head was covered with a scarf and he looked completely dazed. I almost could not recognise him!

My poor baby had to be put on a drip and have a catheter attached to his wound to drain out the unwanted blood. It was a draining week staying in hospital with Jayden and we were very grateful to our family members, pastor and friends who came and visited with us. Many also expressed their concern and prayer support through SMSes. This show of love and support really uplifted us and kept us through.

After the surgery, Jayden has to take antibiotics daily to prevent further urinary tract infection. He was scheduled for a post-op MCUG test 6 months later to determine if the reflux problem has been corrected. His second MCUG test again revealed Grade V reflux. We were stunned! Does that mean something went wrong during surgery? Even our paediatrician Dr Lee was puzzled.

Dr Cheah explained that the muscles of the ureters needed time to become strong and given time, the reflux problem should resolve. Jayden was to continue with his antibiotics and go for another MCUG review in 4 months' time.

Finally Jayden's problem of reflux has been resolved! We are so relieved and thankful. No more antibiotics, no more urine cultures, no more expensive MCUG tests! Praise God!