Though the prevalence of kidney stones in children is less compared to that of adults, it can cause significant pain and discomfort for them. Therefore, it is important for parents to ensure that their children consume a balanced diet and drink plenty of water to prevent the formation of kidney stones. Moreover, parents have to be observant and watch out for any potential signs of kidney stones as their children may experience symptoms like pain while urinating, blood in urine, and many others. Seeking medical attention is crucial as it will help to address the issue and any other underlying conditions.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are solid masses that form in the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract. They develop when substances like salts, minerals, and acids crystallise. Renal calculi can vary in size. Moreover, smaller stones are hard to detect as they can easily pass out of the system through urination with no symptoms. Whereas, bigger stones often get trapped in the ureter, which will result in visible symptoms like pain while urinating, bleeding, and many others. Kidney stones are not just popular amongst adults, as they can also disturb children.
Causes Of Kidney Stones In Children
According to specialists in kidney stone treatment, renal calculi are caused by a combination of various factors, which include the following:
- Diet and lifestyle – The likelihood of stone formation among children increases when their fluid intake is low, as dehydration causes the urine to become more concentrated. Additionally, diets high in sodium from processed foods also contribute to the development of kidney stones. Children often consume excessive sugars, which also puts them at risk. Apart from that, children who are obese or overweight have a high probability of having kidney stones.
- Medical conditions – The formation of kidney stones can also be determined by underlying conditions like urinary tract infection, which can disrupt the normal balance of substances in the urine. Besides that, stone formation may be promoted by conditions like hyperparathyroidism, which causes spikes in the calcium levels in blood and urine. Moreover, some metabolic disorders also affect the body’s ability to process minerals, increasing the risk of kidney stones in children.
- Other factors – Children with decreased mobility are at risk as less physical engagement in exercises causes the bones to release more calcium into the bloodstream, potentially leading to osteoarthritis formation. Not only that, according to specialists in kidney stone treatment, abnormalities in the urinary tract can disrupt proper urine flow and increase the chances of stone formation.
The above determining factors have to be taken into account, and parents have to do everything possible to ensure that their children stay healthy to reduce the chances of renal calculi formation. Other factors that have to be put into consideration include family history, as a family history of kidney stones can increase the chances of kidney stone development in children. For the best guidance on how to prevent renal calculi formation in children, diagnosis, and treatment, you can visit Khosla Stone Kidney and Surgical Centre. They provide proper care through advanced and safe treatment options.