Kidney diseases in children – everything you need to know

Early diagnosis and checking for the signs and symptoms can help prevent kidney diseases in children suggests paediatric nephrologist Dr Varsha Mhaske.

By: Bhakti Paun Sharma | Edited by: Bhakti Paun Sharma | | Updated: May 28, 2020 9:57 pm

Tags: Children's health Kidney disease symptoms

As parents, you want to do your best to keep your little one healthy. However, keeping your kid’s kidneys healthy doesn’t feature in your priority list when it comes to caring for your child. You are probably more worried about nutrition and developmental milestones which are extremely crucial for sure. But kidney problems are not uncommon in children. Moreover, unlike heart, lung and liver diseases, kidney problems do not cause symptoms until nearly 80% of the function is lost. Hence, the diagnosis is often made late. So, you, as a parent, need to be more cautious this aspect of your child’s health. There could be multiple triggers behind kidney diseases in kids. Some of them include birth defects, hereditary diseases, infection, urine blockage or reflux. Also Read - Iron deficiency in children: Prevention tips for parents

Also Read - Symptoms of food allergies in kids and how to deal with it

It is very important for parents to make note of the early signs of the disease to avoid complications. Dr Varsha Phadke, Professor and Head Incharge, Pediatric Nephrolgy division, Department of Pediatrics & Neonatology, K. J. Somaiya Medical College & Research Centre sheds more light on kidney diseases in children to spread awareness among parents: Also Read - Indians at higher risk of having kidney disease: Watch out for these signs and symptoms

Symptoms

Painful urination
Red/brown coloured urine
Poor stream of urine
Passing urine less than 4 times a day
Passing urine more than 12 times a day
Edema around the eyes
Disturbed growth or bone deformities
Excessive thirst

Types of kidney diseases

Urinary tract malformation, present since birth
Kidney stones
Glomerulonephritis
Nephrotic syndrome
Urinary tract infection
Acute renal failure
Chronic renal disease which can lead to renal disease

Diagnosis

For diagnosis and assessing the severity of kidney diseases, some investigations should be done.

Urine examination gives a lot of information such as the presence of proteins, RBCs, WBCs and crystals.

Urine culture should be done in case of suspected urinary tract infection.

BUN and creatinine levels increase when the kidney is not functioning properly. Other blood tests such as electrolytes, hemoglobin, blood gases are sometimes required.

Sonography is a very useful test in kidney diseases. It gives a lot of information such as the size of kidneys, congenital malformation (single kidney/polycystic kidney), hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney), any blocks in the urinary tract, kidney stones, and kidney tumors.

Tests such as renal scans and kidney biopsy are rarely required.

Read: 8 tests for checking kidney problems in adults.

Treatment

Treatment of kidney diseases depends on the individual disease. Antibiotics are given for 10 14 days in urinary tract infections. Prednisolone (steroid) is used in nephrotic syndrome. Some malformations may require surgical correction.

In adults, when the kidney fails, dialysis is done and sometimes kidney transplantation is the only cure. Similar treatments are also available for children. Dialysis is of 2 types: Peritoneal dialysis (preferred in children) and hemodialysis. Due to kidney failure, harmful substances such as urea, creatinine, potassium, phosphorus and excess water accumulate in the body. These are removed by dialysis. Dialysis does not cure the underlying kidney disease. Here s everything you need to know about kidney dialysis.

Kidney transplantation for children is available in India for End Stage Renal Disease. In kidney transplantation, normal kidney of a donor is fitted in place of the diseased kidney of the patient surgically. The donor can be alive or brain dead. For transplantation, appropriate permissions need to be taken and legal procedures to be followed. (Read: Kidney dialysis in India)

Prevention

The treatment of kidney failure is very difficult, painful as well as expensive. Hence we should take utmost. Here are 5 foods that can help prevent kidney diseases. You can also check these tips to prevent kidney problems and diseases.

Whom to consult

Kidney doctors for kids are called paediatric nephrologists who can be consulted for urinary complaints or kidney diseases. If kidney problem persists for more than 3 months, blood creatinine level is high or kidneys are abnormal on sonography, then a paediatric nephrologist should be consulted.

There are some associations working for children with kidney diseases. Kidney foundation for children is one such organization with a mission to facilitate the delivery of kidney care so that every child with kidney disease should get the right care at the right time and in the right manner.

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Published : May 28, 2020 9:00 pm | Updated:May 28, 2020 9:57 pm

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