Kidney biopsy (1447)

What is a kidney biopsy?

A kidney biopsy is a test to find out more about the kidneys. A very small piece of kidney tissue is taken from one kidney. This tissue is looked at under a microscope to see if there is a disease damaging the kidney.

How do I prepare my child? 

• The biopsy will be done using intravenous (IV) sedation or with general anesthesia. A Day Surgery nurse will call you a day or two before the biopsy is done. They will tell you when to come to the hospital and when your child should stop eating and drinking.
• If your child takes medicines in the morning, ask the doctor or nurse if they should be given the day of the biopsy.

How is it done?

• The kidney biopsy is done in the hospital. An overnight stay is needed after the biopsy. 
• Blood tests will be a few days before the biopsy or on the day of the biopsy at the hospital. Your child’s doctor or nurse will answer any questions you have. You will need to sign a consent form so the biopsy can be done.
• If IV sedation is being used, an IV will be started for medicine and fluids. About 20 minutes before the biopsy your child will get some medicine in the IV. This may make them feel sleepy and lightheaded. 
• If general anesthesia is used, your child will breathe in a medicine that will make them sleep.  An IV will be started. 
• The biopsy is done the same way for either kind of anesthesia.  
• Your child will be taken to a special procedure room or an operating room where the biopsy will be done. Your child will lie on their stomach during the biopsy. If your child had a kidney transplant, they will lay on their back. Before the test starts, an ultrasound of the kidneys will be done. 
• Your child will be given more medicine through the IV. This medicine will help them sleep.
• The doctor will wash your child’s back with a brown soap called betadine. A small amount of numbing medicine will be put into the skin where the biopsy will be done. They may feel a little burning while the medicine is going in. This feeling will go away in a few seconds.
• Once asleep or relaxed, the doctor will use a special needle to get a little piece of tissue from your child’s kidney. Your child may feel some pressure on their back, but should not feel pain.
• When the biopsy is done, the doctor will wash the soap off your child’s back and put a bandage over the area. Your child will go back to their room. 

What happens after the test?

• Your child will need to stay in bed for 6 to 8 hours after the test. The nurse will check blood pressure, heart rate and biopsy area. Your child may feel some soreness in this area. Ask your nurse for medicine to help with the pain.
• Your child will be able to eat and drink when they are fully awake.
• The nurse will check your child’s urine for blood. A small amount of blood in the urine is normal.
• After leaving the hospital, the area of the biopsy should be checked every day for one week. Look for swelling, bleeding or bruising.
• Your child can shower or take a bath.
• Your child should limit activities for 1 to 2 weeks after the biopsy.  Do not have your child: go to gym (PE) class, run, swim, bike ride, wrestle, or play rough. Ask your child’s doctor or nurse about other activities.

When will I know the results?

Waiting for the biopsy results can be hard. It may take 1 to 2 weeks for all of the results to be ready. If you have not been called with the results after 2 weeks, call your child’s doctor’s office.