February 2, 2016 "High Blood Pressure"

At our last Spina Bifida Clinic appointments Dr. Ross noticed that Rayden's blood pressure had been elevated the past couple of recordings. She referred us to a nephrologist. The earliest appointment Maya could get with Dr. Keia Sanderson's office was March 1. I'm not sure what happened but the nephrologist's office called me the other day and said Dr. Ross reported that Rayden needed to be seen earlier, so she cleared her schedule for Feb. 2 to see him.

Rayden weighed in at 22.7 lbs. He is 30 in. long. His blood pressure was 116/52. He had previous readings with the top number being as high as 122, and 135. Apparently the top number should be between 70-110. 

Dr. Sanderson viewed Rayden's old renal ultrasounds and said that his kidneys look good. His urine sample was clear today as well. Although she is still waiting on the blood work results, she stated that it is not uncommon for children with Spina Bifida to have blood pressure issues because they are 'wired differently'. She believes Rayden's kidneys are not producing the hormone necessary to regulate his blood pressure. His heart is pumping blood too fast which in turn will thicken the walls of his heart over time. If this continues, by the time he is 20 years old he may develop a heart condition. This is certainly not something we want. To prevent this, she suggested starting medication. We will have to keep a log of his blood pressure readings at least twice a week. She will evaluate the log to fluctuate his medicine as needed. 

In the mean time I am trying to get a nurse to come to our house so I don't have to take him back and forth to the pediatricians office twice a week. I am also going to purchase my own pediatric blood pressure cuff and learn how to take it myself.