Infant with Kidney Stones

Jen,
For what it's worth, I was born with only 1 kidney, didn't know it until I started undergoing tests for infertility around age 36. Never bothered me, never gave me any indication, and every day that lone kidney works like a champ. I'm physically active (run, lift weights, dance), so don't let this knowledge make you too cautious of your child and let him be as physically active as he wants to be!
Best of luck!

Jan's approach may have been blunt and the tone was perhaps accusatory to the mom for using formula - which sometimes mothers, including myself, chose to do because we could NOT breastfeed for any number of reasons, and we did not KNOW of any other options at the time.

However... I feel that she's right.

And this is not the forum for fighting - we are here to support each other. You can always send a private message if you take issue with somone's approach.

If you think for one minute the FDA is about protecting the health of the American people, you are missing the whole picture. Sometimes they sort of try when something gets WAY too publicly known and dangerous - but mostly the FDA protects the interest of FOOD and DRUG companies. Research it a little. See who has clout in the FDA, see where they used to work, which companies they hold stock in....see who lobbies them and how they know the FDA bigwigs. Being naive and not wanting to know won't save your kids.

Do these words ring any bells? "Tuskegee experiment, Thalidomide, Big Tobacco, Vioxx." No? Then to be a responsible citizen and consumer, take the time to learn about them.

Doctors are human and subject to bias. YOU MUST DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.

Melamine apparently IS in American infant formula. It's been widely proven and reported. I believe that is why the FDA came out after the China tainted formula scandal and suddenly with NO SCIENTIFIC STUDY WHATSOEVER on safety...said that "X amount of melamine in formula is legal and safe." To protect the formula companies from beind sued.

There have been numerous reports of increased kidney stones in formula fed infants, in the past 6 months. The doctors know this. If they don't, they should.

Read and educate yourself. YOUR CHILD'S LIFE depends on it. It may mean making lifestyle changes, and going against "mainstream" and even going against your doctor's advice, and getting a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinion, from different medical professionals. In the end, we must do what is best for our kids no matter what ANYONE says - other parents, relatives, or even a doctor. We still retain the right, at least for now, to make decisions for our own children that we feel is in their best interest. WE have to live with the results of our decisions - so do NOT put the responsibility of those decisions into the hands of others. Take advice from as many people as possible - look into everything yourself - no matter how "out there" it initially seems, and then learn to follow your gut mother instinct.

I pray your baby gets well.

Gee--when I read your post I didn't see that you were seeking opinions on the name of your child! Did I miss something? No, I don't think so. Some people need to walk--no run-- to a warehouse club and buy a HUGE BULK CASE of compassion. I mean after all, that post was equivalent to kicking a puppy.

Regarding the formula, the FDA does NOT regulate the bogus formula that was being made in China, (as reported in the afore-mentioned article posted below) so let's not all hit the FALSE ALARM button. Yes, the limited, tainted formula has impacted kidneys of babies in China, but I have not heard of O. melamine laced formula incident in the USA. Has anyone else? There.

Now, on to your actual post....I know if I were you, I would take comfort in the fact that you have access to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. I am certain you will receive top-notch care there. That said, a second opinion is always a good thing, so keep that in mind. There are tons of excellent specialists in the PIttsburgh area.
I'm sorry that you are going through this right now and please know that most of the moms on this board are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers and sending POSITIVE thoughts your way.
So, sorry, no "real" medical advice here, just wanted to let you know that people care.
God bless you and your gorgeous son.

My sister had kidney stones when she was 7 years old (as opposed to 7 months old), and it was determined (through various hospital tests) that the cause was because her diet was too high in calcium. The mineral just kept collecting and building up in her kidneys and thus didn't get processed.

And I have to agree with Jan on the formula point, and here's why: Infant formula - no matter which brand you buy I'm afraid - is extravagently high in its mineral ratios, which is why formula fed babies will typically have more issues with their digestive system (which includes the kidneys) than breastfed babies. You may want to consider re-evaluating your son's diet so that you won't have this problem again. Hope this helps, whatever solution you come to to resolve this.

P.S. Yes this IS some medically-backed advice, since I come from a long line of men in the navy and women in the medical profession (and I was studying to be a physical therapist when I fell in love and got married to the father of my ever-so-cute progeny), BUT I will advise you to take ALL medical advise at YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
People seem to have the wrong idea about us (med professionals) that our word is like the word of God, when really we're only human and therefore imperfect and apt to make our share of mistakes. Although I will admit that a few of my colleagues and relatives would beg to differ, but only because their professional ego needs stroking 24/7. :P

You know, I could be missing something, but I don't even see that you state whether he is on breast or formula...regardless...I have 2 children 1) a son that I nursed til 1 year...and 2) a daughter born premature, I developed "NICU syndrome" where as not being around her and hearing the cries, my body failed to produce. That being said they are now 5 and 8 and both are fairing equally well in digestion...if anything my son may have IBS and he WAS breastfed so no 1 way is perfect for EVERY child.

My cousin was born with only 1 kidney, while in his 2nd year of college football he was injured...it was not until that point did they even realize he only had one...so there is hope that your son may live a long, full and happy life. I will say a prayer for you and wish you the best of luck! Please keep us updated!!! :-)

My daughter has passed kidney stones. The only thing any of the doctors could find is that her body wasn't producting citrate naturally. Citrate is what keeps kidney stones from forming. She is now taking potassium citrate everyday and no new stones have formed. She is also on a restricted diet - low sodium, only 2 servings of dairy per day, no grapes. She also drinks/eats citrus because consuming citric acid helps raise the citrate level in her blood. The only alarming thing for us is that her ANA blood level was questionable - ANA is the autoimmune disease test. So far, we have not seen anything to suggest she does have an AID. Hopefully we won't. Hope this helps. Good luck!

All sorts of different illness are becoming more and more frequent these days. The shape the food supply is in has never been worse. People need to start making ethical choices in their lives and the lives of their children, to start making this world a better, more healthy place to live in. The pesticides in the produce, and the hormones and antibiotics in the meat, dairy, and eggs is making everyone ill, creating problems no one has seen before, or that were rare before. Things have drastically changed in recent years. This is a web site that will show you some changes that you can make in your life that will help make you and your family healthier. I wish you good health. Take care. www.pcrm.org

Oh, my gosh. I cannot imagine how you are dealing with this -- my husband had kidney stones when he was on lipitor -- so he quit the drug and hasn't had any since. But he got them regularly while on the drug. Personally I have never seen anything more painful, and I cannot imagine having to deal with that condition in such a wee little baby.

I don't have any "real" advice, other than liquids (water, more specifically). Keep the kidney working, and lots of water ( not tons, he's not all that big, but water at mealtimes would be appropriate and if you drink water during the day, let him have some from your cup). If they can get flushed out when the stones are really little, then maybe they won't be so problematic while you're waiting for the answers.

My heart goes out to you. Let's hope and pray that the blood test reveals something conclusive, so you can work at resolving the problem. And maybe it's something he'll outgrow even. (My youngest had a spastic bladder that for whatever reason didn't mature and behave correctly until she was 10)

Be sure to update us later this month.

Hi Jen,

I don't know anything about this but figured you could use a {{{HUG}}}.

I'm sorry for the comments of the last poster. If formula was bad for your son because of him having one kidney, your doctor would have told you. There are more babies being fed formula than are breast fed. If formula caused kidney stones, there would be a heck of a lot more babies with them.

L.

P.S. Raiden is an awesome name. I love unusual names!!! Just ask my kids, Desirae and Cuyler :)

Dear Jen,
While I am not in your situation, a close friend from my church went through what you seem to be facing with her daughter. Alyssa is now 6 or 7, I think, and has been stone-free for a year or so, I believe. However, she had stones frequently for several years and had to undergo numerous surgeries in her first few years of life. This past fall, however, when Alyssa & her mom went her latest check-up, everything went well. Alyssa's dad is a youth pastor & her mom (my friend) is my pastor's daughter. Through all of this they have seen God's provision & protection, and as a result of how their family handled it, Alyssa & her mom were able to share the gospel of Christ with Alyssa's doctor. While this was by no means an easy thing for any of them, the Lord was glorified by their testimony throughout the entire process.
I will be praying for you & Raiden. Also, if you'd like more info, please feel free to e-mail me, and I can speak with my friend to maybe learn more from her for you. May God bless you abundantly for having the humility to seek help outside your comfort zone for your child! You are a wonderful advocate for him!