Kidneys are bean-shaped organs that control water levels and eliminate waste products through urine. Kidney diseases in children can be acute (sudden) or chronic (permanent), and the outcomes may vary accordingly. Genetic kidney diseases are more prevalent in children than adults. Most of these diseases are diagnosed during prenatal testing and require medical or surgical treatment. Other kidney issues, such as urinary tract infections (UTI), may occur later in life (1) (2). Read on to learn about the types, causes, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of kidney diseases in children.
How Common Is Kidney Disease In Children?
Around one or two in every 100,000 children under the age of 19 can develop kidney failure. African American teenagers are thrice more likely to develop kidney failure than Caucasians of the same age. Moreover, boys are twice as likely to develop kidney disease as girls (3).
What Are The Types Of Kidney Disease In Children?
Kidney diseases that develop from birth are (1): Sometimes, the baby’s urinary tract does not develop properly in the womb, leading to kidney problems. These congenital problems are:
Duplication of the ureters, in which a kidney has two ureters rather than one. This condition can cause urinary tract infections and can be treated with surgery.
Horseshoe kidney, in which two kidneys are fused into one arched kidney. It functions normally but needs to be regularly checked by healthcare providers. It might need surgical intervention.
Other problems associated with kidneys Sometimes, other health conditions in children might prevent the kidneys from functioning normally. They include:
Hypertension (high blood pressure) Kidney stones Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys caused by infection or autoimmune disease) Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (bacteria enter the bladder or kidneys)
What Are The Causes And Risk Factors Of Kidney Disease In Children?
Several factors can increase the risk of kidney disease in children. Acute kidney disease
Reduced blood flow in kidneys due to surgery, dehydration, blood loss, or shock Blockage in the urinary tract Medicines that cause kidney problems Conditions such as cardiac arrest slow down or block the oxygen and blood flow into the kidneys Hemolytic uremic syndrome is caused by E.coli infection, where it leads to kidney failure because of blocked small blood vessels and structures (4)
Chronic kidney disease
Blockage in the urinary tract for a long period Alport syndrome (an inherited disorder that causes deafness, eye problems, and kidney damage). Cystinosis (an inherited disorder where amino acid called cystine accumulates in the kidneys). Untreated acute kidney disease may also turn chronic if not treated on time. Other conditions include untreated diabetes, hypertension, chronic urinary tract infection, and lupus (4).
Apart from these factors, kidney disease in children can also occur from birth defects. These defects occur while the baby is growing in the mother’s womb. The common birth defects are (5):
Babies born with a single kidney (renal agenesis) Babies born with two kidneys, one of which does not function (renal dysplasia) Babies born with dislocated kidneys (ectopic kidney)
Most children born with these birth defects do not face any major problems; however, it is important to contact a child’s specialist/child nephrologist.
What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Disease In Children?
The symptoms of acute and chronic kidney disease may differ from each other. Some common symptoms of acute kidney disease are (4) (6):
Fever Rash Hematuria (blood in urine) Image: Shutterstock Chronic nausea and severe vomiting Abdominal pain No urine or excess urine Diarrhea with bleeding Pale skin Swollen tissues Inflamed eyes Mass in the stomach
Some common symptoms of chronic kidney disease are (2) (4) (6):
Chronic nausea and vomiting Bone pain Poor appetite High blood pressure Poor growth No urine or excess urine Frequent UTIs Urinary incontinence Pale skin Mass in the stomach Hearing impairment Bad breath Swollen tissues Irritable behavior Change in alertness Poor muscle tone Weakness and fatigue Change in the urine color, indicating blood Extra foam formation in urine, indicating protein
What Are The Complications Of Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease or failure may lead to several complications as follows (4):
Anemia (low level of red blood cells in the body) Heart problems Bone disease Bone, joint and muscle pain Improper mental function, leading to confusion, less concentration, and dementia Nerve damage in upper and lower limbs Highly prone to infections Poor nutrition Dry and itchy skin
How Is Kidney Disease Diagnosed In Children?
If healthcare providers suspect the child has kidney disease, they will start with a medical history and physical examination. Then, further diagnostic tests are done to confirm the disease (1) (4) (7) (8) :
How Is Kidney Disease Treated In Children?
The treatment of kidney disease in children depends on the cause and severity of the disease. The treatment for acute kidney disease might include (4):
Hospital admission Intravenous fluid administration to replenish the fluid loss Diuretics to increase the amount of urine Tracking electrolyte levels in the body Medicines to control blood pressure Dietary changes
The treatment for chronic kidney disease includes (4):
Medicines to address bone problems and anemia Dietary changes Dialysis Kidney transplant (removing the damaged kidney and replacing it with a new one)
Some specific treatments for the causes leading to kidney diseases are (7):
Dietary Changes During Kidney Treatment
In the course of kidney treatment, diet plays an important role. Some dietary changes your child might need to make in the diet are (4):
Reduce the protein intake because the kidneys may not efficiently eliminate the excess protein.
Limit food containing potassium because the excess potassium may accumulate in the blood (hyperkalemia), which can be life-threatening (9).
Avoid phosphorus-containing foods because extra phosphorus can cause calcium to leave the bones.
A low-sodium diet helps reduce fluid retention in the body.
Congenital Diseases of the Kidney | Riley Children’s Health (rileychildrens.org)
