What happens during the test?

• a doctor will insert an IV (or drip) into your child’s vein and inject the DMSA solution
• after the injection, the DMSA solution can take two to three hours to travel around the blood stream to the kidneys; your child will be able to play and relax during this period
• after about two to three hours, pictures are taken with a special camera; the pictures trace the progress of the DMSA solution through the kidneys
• the pictures take about 20 to 30 minutes and your child will need to lie still for that time; for this reason, younger children may need to be have some medication (sedation) to help them stay calm and still

• Drips (cannula or IV) 

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How does it feel?

The insertion of the IV (drip) can cause discomfort. Local anaesthetic cream applied beforehand can minimise this. Apart from this, the rest of the procedure causes no discomfort.

 

See the following fact sheet on this website:

• Drips (cannula or IV) 

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How can I prepare my child?

• take along comforters or any toys that will reassure your child; a dummy (pacifier) for babies (if they normally suck on one) can be very soothing
• see other suggestions in Helping your child manage their health care treatment / procedure
• many hospitals have play specialists, whose job it is to help explain these tests to your child. Play specialists use play to show your child what is going to happen and ways to help them cope
• a parent will be able to stay with your child for the test and your presence can help reassure them; pregnant mothers cannot stay during the test, and in this case fathers or someone else familiar to your child can be there

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Are there any after effects?

• radiation in general is a risk; however the amount of radioisotope in the DMSA solution is based on your child’s height and weight, and is so small that it poses no great risk
• the amount of radioisotope in the DMSA solution is the smallest amount possible to get the best pictures

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How do I find out the results?

The nuclear medicine specialist will review the pictures and send a written report to your doctor who will discuss the results with you. This usually takes several days.

 

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Where to go for more information

Hospital Play Specialists Association

Play specialists may be able to advise you on how to help your child cope with their treatment.

Postal address: P O Box 26637, Epsom, Auckland.

Email: info@hospitalplay.org.nz

Website: http://www.hospitalplay.org.nz/

 

Kidney Kids

Kidney Kids is a group of New Zealand parents and children, who are dealing with kidney issues, and who get together to share problems, solutions and good times. Kidney Kids has support groups and contacts throughout New Zealand.

 

Physical address: 33 Vestey Drive, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060

Postal address: PO Box 13 732, Onehunga, Auckland 1643

Phone: 64 9 574 2382
Freephone: 0800 215 437
Fax: 64 9 574 2378
Email: admin@kidneykids.org.nz

Website: http://www.kidneykids.org.nz/

 

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Acknowledgements

This fact sheet has been adapted from:

• Paediatric Outpatient Department. Christchurch Hospital. Canterbury District Health Board. 2002. Urine infections and ureteric reflux.
• Children’s Unit. Waikato District Health Board. 1997. Your child with urinary reflux.

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Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 29/06/2009

Copyright

Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010

The Paediatric Society of New Zealand http://www.paediatrics.org.nz

Starship Foundation http://www.starship.org.nz