Ped has me stressing out. Any nurses here?

kit_kats_mom wrote: So Katherine had her 9 month checkup last week and the ped ordered bloodwork to check iron and some other things since K is rather small (15#9oz). Well, they drew blood from her arm which was rather awful. A nurse called today and said that we need to have the blood redrawn since the "kidney function levels came back a little low". She said the ped thinks that it may be due to it being a finger stick...I told the nurse that it was a vein stick and to let the Dr. know but she said to come on in tomorrow to have more blood drawn. She was acting like it was nothing big "her level is 4 and normal is 5" but I am STRESSING OUT NOW and I think I need to barf. The nurse said something about creatin (sp?). I'll do a search when her daddy gets home and can watch her but I thought I'd check to see if anyone knows anything about it.
Thanks!

Schnoogly replied: Here is a link I found on what creatine is...doing more searches for you to find out about decreased levels in a baby.
Hugs and DEEP BREATH!
Steph
http://blueprint.bluecrossmn.com/topic/topic100586675

jdkjd replied: But she's so healthy and active, if there was something REALLY wrong with her it would have surfaced before now.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you though!!

kit_kats_mom replied: Oh, thank you so much. It's actually called Creatinine. I took a minute to look it up. I didn't find anything about low levels but high levels indicate kidney failure. Hmmm.
Trying to relax...

Schnoogly replied: Sorry it's spelled creatinine. And it could be a symptom of kidney reflux, where the urine goes back into the kidneys. I think this is fairly common and most kids outgrow it by the age of five without any major treatment, sometimes antibiotics are prescribed if the baby gets lots of bladder infections.

Not sure this is what it is, but it isn't necessarily something bad! Or the test could have been off. It's too soon to worry too much--they wouldn't have let you go home with her if it was serious--believe me!

Steph

Here is another link on kidney reflux
http://babiestoday.com/resources/articles/...idneyreflux.htm

kit_kats_mom replied: Ok, didn't need to find this link. here is what it says:
Low blood creatinine levels. Low blood creatinine levels can indicate a decrease in muscle mass caused by a disease, such as muscular dystrophy, or by aging. Low levels can also indicate some types of severe liver disease or a diet very low in protein. Pregnancy can also cause low blood creatinine levels.

Hopefully it is just a low protein diet and not MD.
Like Jenn said, she is really, really active so I am going to guess low protein diet.

My mom is going with us to have the blood drawn and she will hold K so I don't have to go through that again.

Schnoogly replied: Oops, didn't realize the levels were low not high! So sorry she has to have blood drawn again! That is so awful for babies!! (I don't like it much myself!!!)

Steph

jdkjd replied: They might just recommend an increase in solids with meat for protein. Try not to worry yet. You don't know that anything is even wrong.

And I think I would cry watching blood drawn. I'm already dreading Bailey's shots on Friday. Ugh.

MommyToAshley replied: I would try not to worry yet. I remember seeing a video where she was walking!! That doesn't sound like low muscle mass to me!!! Like Jenn said, you will prolly have to feed her more solids with protien.

I will keep my fingers crossed and say an extra prayer tonight -- let us know how things go!

ediep replied: try not to worry----I know that is easier said than done----she is very healthy, I'm sure she is fine!!!!
Keeping my fingers crossed for you

Schnoogly replied: A thought--could you BF her while they draw blood? (Are you still BFing?) It might calm her a little. I never got a chance to try this with Iain because he wasn't allowed to eat the times he had blood drawn, but I know it helps when they get shots.

Steph

kit_kats_mom replied:
I asked my ped about nursing during shots as she is very supportive about our BF'ding. Her take was that if she is nursing and happy and then got stuck, that it might make her reluctant to nurse in the future. It made sense to me.

Mommieto2Girls replied: Poor baby, I hope everything turns out ok, keep us posted.

supermom replied: Here are some and prayers for you and hope that everything goes alright. Yes, we know it's easier said that done to not worry too much, but do try....since it sounds like she's healthy and active otherwise.



I've EBF four of them and only one time did I not nurse them when they were getting their shots (the first time when the NFH told me that there was NO WAY - after that I just did it without asking teehee) - and I've never had a problem. I don't know that if it was that awful for her to get her blood drawn, I woudln't give it a try, esp since she's a bit older than newborn and knows that (O)(O) are for comfort too?? Just my

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Hugs to you...I hope everything goes well. Like others said...maybe try giving her some more meat? It can't hurt...

Good luck!