The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs. They are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of your spine. Kidneys play an important role in the body’s many functionalities like maintaining the overall fluid balance of the body. It purifies the blood from our body. Today we are going to discuss kidney disease among kids and how to treat this.

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What is Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease means when kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should. Kidney disease easily affects the person in many ways, ranging from treatable disorders without long-term consequences to life-threatening conditions. Acute kidney disease develops unexpectedly, lasts a short time, and can be serious with long-lasting consequences or may go away completely once the underlying cause has been treated.

Chronic kidney disease can get worse over time. CKD conduct to kidney failure, described as end-stage kidney disease or ESRD when treated with a kidney transplant or blood-filtering treatments called dialysis.

What are the Symptoms of Kidney Disease Among Kids?

The signs and symptoms of the urinary tract or kidney problems vary and include:

1. Fever

2. Swelling around the eyes, face, feet, and ankles

3. Pain while peeing

4. Significant increase in the frequency of urination

5. Difficulty in controlling urination in kids who are mature enough to use the toilet

6. Recurrence of nighttime bedwetting (in kids who have been dry for several months)

7. Blood in the urine

8. High blood pressure

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What are the Causes of Kidney Disease Among Kids?

Kidney disease in children can be caused by:

1. Birth defects

2. Hereditary diseases

3. Infection

4. Nephrotic syndrome

5. Systemic diseases

6. Trauma

7. Urine blockage or reflux

Birth Defects

A birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is developing in the mother’s womb. Birth defects which affect the kidneys include renal agenesis, renal dysplasia, and ectopic kidney, to name a few. These flaws are abnormalities of size, structure, or position of the kidneys:

Renal agenesis children born with only one kidney.

Renal dysplasia children born with both kidneys but one does not function.

Ectopic kidney children born with a kidney which is located below, above, or on the opposite side of its usual position.

Generally, children with these conditions lead full, healthy lives. Although, some children with renal agenesis or renal dysplasia are at increased risk for developing kidney disease.

Hereditary Diseases

Genetic kidney diseases are illnesses passed from parent to child through the genes. One example is polycystic kidney disease (PKD), characterized by many grapelike clusters of fluid-filled cysts abnormal sacs that make both kidneys larger over time. These cysts coup and destroy working kidney tissue.

How to Treat Kidney Disease in Children?

When kidney function declines, children may need treatment for anemia and growth failure. It depends on the cause of the illness. A child may be referred to a pediatric nephrologist, a doctor who is specialized in treating kidney diseases and kidney failure in children.

Children with a kidney disease which causes high blood pressure may need to take medications to lower their blood pressure. Improving BP can significantly slow the progression of kidney disease.

Conclusion

In the above article, we have discussed kidney disease among kids and it’s symptoms, causes, and treatment. The best way to treat this disease is to whenever your child feels any of the above symptoms so immediately take your child to the doctor.

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