My baby's legs and feet are swelling. He was in the NICU for several weeks.?

Question

He was 32 wks. gestation. They did not do a central line, only IV. So my Dr. isn't worried about a blood clot. They also did an x-ray, and he has had an ultrasound on his heart. No problems seen there. Blood work shows several low levels including protein and hemoglobin among a few other things. No protein in urin. My Dr. believes it could be because the body is not pushing the fluids, and they are therefore seeping into the tissue, but she has not really seen this before. Anyone else have this problem?

Answer 1

oh my goodness!!!  I am sorry to hear about your baby having this problem. I was going to say that his heart might not be functioning normally but you said he had a flawless ultrasound so hmmmm..... I am not really sure what it could be...the only thing I can think of is the that there may be something crushing the his veins around the pelvic area or maybe his kidneys need to be checked and his urinary track or thyroid gland. there might be a leek somewhere. I wish you and your baby the best. I really wish i could help but i cant. good luck and let us know what comes of this situation. I really hope you come back with good news.  

Answer 2

I was a NICU nurse and can honestly tell you my medical opinion is a blood clot. If the tissue was absorbing fluid you would see a significant amount of external bruising. You should go to your NICU follow up clinic, most NICUs offer post care. Peditricans often don't have a lot of experience with preemies. You may need to find a peditrican that specializes in preemie care.

Answer 3

Have they looked at his kidneys?  Just a thought.....

Answer 4

well the low protein could have something to do with it... if the protein and albumin levels are low (colloids) then theres nothing to hold the blood in the vascular compartment... so it seeps into the tissues resulting in edema (swelling of extremities) ...  water follows the path of solutes...  like for example if you had a mebrane and placed it in the middle of a container of water... and you added salt to one side... the water would seep into the salty side... in an attempt to equalize the solutes...   kinda the same process inside your vessels.

Another thing could be a possible problem with the heart... does the baby have any heart defects??  if the heart is weak and heart failure is developing,  then the heart can not pump the fluids efficiently and the body tries to compensate by holding onto fluids and sodium causing the vascular compartment to expand and then it leaks into the tissues causing the edema.

you have to give me more information... but those are my two instincts based on what you have told me...  Good luck to you and your sweet baby.

Angie, Registered Nurse