New Delhi: Kidneys are essential for a child’s growth and health, but parents may not always recognize early signs of kidney dysfunction. Identifying and understanding the potential risks can help these young patients seek the required medical intervention, thanks to early detection of kidney dysfunction. Kidneys are one of the most important organs in a child’s body as they are responsible for flushing out wastes and toxins and keeping the body healthy and clean. Any kidney dysfunction can impair the child’s health significantly, making early interventions the need of the hour.
Symptoms of kidney diseases in kids
Dr Avinash Vattam, Pediatric Nephrologist, Little Star Hospital, Hyderabad, said that parents should pay attention to their child’s everyday routine and make a note of any of the following changes it as symptoms of possible kidney dysfunction:
Changes in urination patterns, such as frequent urination, blood in urine, pain or burning sensation while urinating, and foamy or bubbly urine, which may indicate protein leakage in urine, are all signs of possibly failing kidneys.
Some kidney pains manifest through more physical signs like Edema or swelling around the eyes, nose, face, hands, and feet, constant fatigue and exhaustion, changes in skin colour like unusual paleness or darkening, a decreased appetite in growing stages, sudden weight gain/poor weight gain and elevated blood pressure.
In some cases, many unexplained health issues like recurring UTIs, persistent low-grade fever, chronic back pains, and growth and developmental delays, which may seem unrelated are all signs of kidney dysfunction. Additionally, itchy skin, nausea, trouble concentrating on tasks, vomiting, and frequent bed wetting are all subtle signs of the kidneys shutting down.
Symptoms of kidney disease in children include:
- Poor Weight gain
- Increased Urination
- Excessive water intake than the solid diet
- Recurrent Urine infection
- High Blood pressure
- Body Swelling
- Foamy Urine
- Blood In Urine
- Family History of kidney disease in family and or Siblings
At the early stages of life, several factors impact the well-being of a child’s kidneys, but they can be divided broadly into two halves: genetic and environmental. Genetic dispositions like patient history, family history, speed of metabolism, nephrotic syndrome, systemic diseases, and existing conditions like autoimmune diseases all affect the overall state of the individual’s kidneys and environmental aspects like diets, stress, and frequency of physical exercise all determine kidney health and functionality in children.
What should parents do to protect children?
If the child is showing one or more symptoms of potential kidney dysfunction, parents should immediately contact their Periatrician or Paediatric nephrologist, as a delay in diagnosis may increase the severity of the condition. If the symptoms persist for more than a week and the child is experiencing pain, discomfort, and frequent UTIs, early detection becomes imperative in treatment. Comprehensive body examinations including blood and urine tests, ultrasound imaging, and kidney biopsies in more serious cases are required for determining the condition of the patient’s kidneys and designing personalized treatment plans for optimized results.
While not all kidney diseases are preventable, parents can support their child’s kidney health by ensuring proper hydration through the recommended intake of water per day, maintaining a balanced diet that is low in saturated fats and sodium, less intake of maida products encouraging regular physical exercise like running, sports, dancing, etc. and scheduling frequent paediatric check-ups. Needs to encourage children to relax and pass urine every two hours and to avoid constipation. Use of dirty bathrooms is not going to cause an infection, but not using it can contribute to health problems.
Remember, every child is unique, and their symptoms can vary as kidney problems in children are complex and oftentimes challenging to identify. By staying informed and vigilant, parents can play a crucial role in early detection and management. Regular communication with healthcare providers, specifically paediatric nephrologists, and prompt attention to unusual symptoms can make a significant difference in a child’s kidney health and overall well-being.
World Kidney Day: In some cases, many unexplained health issues like recurring UTIs, persistent low-grade fever, chronic back pains, and growth and developmental delays, which may seem unrelated are all signs of kidney dysfunction. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
