JOIN USKidneys are one of the most vital organs of body and contribute immensely to the growth of a child. While the importance of the kidney’s role in a child’s good health is known, there is a misconception that kidney diseases occur only in adults and not in children.
As a result, not many children get evaluated early for it and if diagnosed, there is little acceptance among family. Additionally, unlike heart or liver diseases, symptoms of kidney diseases do not present themselves easily. Hence, it is important to detect kidney disease early and take swift action for improving the outcome.
Symptoms & treatment
Childhood kidney diseases can present themselves at any point in time, right from before birth to 18 years of age. Hence, every pregnant woman needs to undergo an anomaly scan between 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy to diagnose structural defects, if any, in the kidneys. If spotted, quick intervention after birth can then be taken to prevent permanent damage.
Additionally, if the amniotic fluid has reduced in volume during pregnancy, it must be extensively monitored to ensure that there is no cause for kidney diseases.
Some of the common indicators of kidney diseases include reddish urine, pain while passing urine and swelling over eyes. At times, kidney diseases may present as elevated blood pressure.
Common causes of kidney diseases in children include recurrent urinary tract infections and congenital defects. Additionally, the formation of kidney stones in children are not uncommon. Hence, a detailed work up is required to find why there is a tendency to form stones.
Certain conditions such as diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to sudden kidney failure in children. Hence, one needs to take immediate treatment to ensure that the kidneys can return to normal functioning. In such times, dialysis can also be administered for children. Also, if kidneys are permanently damaged due to some diseases, dialysis treatment can be offered initially, followed by kidney transplantation — wherein an adult’s kidney can be transplanted to the child. The child can then lead a normal and healthy life.
Keeping healthy
While treatment, especially for children, can seem like a painful process, there are several easy ways to ensure your children’s kidney health.
Make sure that your child drinks water at regular intervals.
Encourage the child to pass urine when there is an urge.
Early diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections in children can help in prevention of kidney problems.
Check your child’s blood pressure once a year.
Ensure that your child has an active lifestyle; help prevent childhood obesity.
If there is a family history of kidney diseases, it is advisable to get an early screening done.
There is no better time than now to start caring for your child’s kidneys. After all, prevention is better than cure.
(The author is consultant paediatric nephrologist, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Bengaluru)