Beware of Kidney Disease in Children, These Symptoms and Causes

Kidney disease in children may still sound familiar. Though not a few children who suffer from this disease. If not treated immediately, this condition can cause various complications that are harmful to health and growth.

Kidney disease in children is a condition when a child's kidney organ is damaged or impaired in function. There are various things that can cause a child to experience kidney disease, ranging from congenital abnormalities, infections, to the side effects of certain drugs or poisoning.

Types of Kidney Disease in Children and their Causes

Based on the condition, kidney disease in children is divided into two types, namely:

Acute kidney disease

Kidney disease is said to be acute if damage or deterioration in kidney function occurs suddenly and does not exceed 3 months. Acute kidney disease in children who are treated immediately generally can be cured and does not cause permanent damage to the kidneys.

However, if the handling is delayed or the damage occurs for more than 3 months, then the child's kidney can be damaged more severely and cause permanent damage to the kidneys.

The following are some of the factors that can cause a child to experience acute kidney disease:

• Conditions that make blood flow to the kidneys decrease or stop suddenly, for example losing large amounts of blood due to accidental injuries, bleeding during surgery, severe burns, and severe dehydration.
• Infections, such as urinary tract infections and sepsis.
• Exposure to poisons and chemicals, such as mercury, arsenic, and lead.
• Side effects of certain drugs, especially those that must be taken in the long term or in high doses.
• Conditions that inhibit the supply of oxygen and blood to the kidneys, such as cardiac arrest and hypoxia.
• Inflammation of the kidneys, for example in nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis.

Chronic kidney disease

Kidney disease is said to be chronic if the disease lasts for 3 months or more. Kidney damage in chronic kidney disease can occur slowly or preceded by acute kidney disease. Most cases of chronic kidney disease cause permanent kidney damage.

There are several factors that can cause a child to develop chronic kidney disease, including:

• Genetic disorders, such as cystinosis, are rare genetic disorders that cause kidney cell damage and Alport's syndrome, namely genetic disorders that cause impaired formation of kidney, ear, and eye organs.
• Birth defects, for example a child born with one kidney or born with two kidneys, but only one kidney is functioning. Kidney disease can also be experienced by children born with a kidney that is not located properly.
• Chronic obstruction in the urinary tract.
• Polycystic kidney disease.
• Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, lupus, and untreated high blood pressure.
• History of acute kidney disease (such as nephrotic syndrome and nephritis syndrome) that does not improve or is treated too late.
• Born with low birth weight or premature.

Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Children

In the early stages, kidney disease in children is often asymptomatic. New symptoms begin when kidney function begins to decline or damage. When the kidneys are experiencing problems, the child may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Swelling in the face, hands and feet.
• No appetite and frequent vomiting.
• It is tired and looks pale.
• Feeling painful or looking fussy after urinating.
• Fever.
• Frequency of urination becomes less frequent.
• Pee bleeding.
• Often experience headaches.
• Shortness of breath.
• Stunted growth and development of children.

If the child experiences the above symptoms, consult a pediatrician immediately to get treatment.

In determining the diagnosis and looking for the cause of kidney disease in children, the doctor will conduct a physical examination accompanied by support, such as blood tests, urine tests, radiological examinations (such as kidney ultrasound and kidney X-rays), to kidney biopsy.

Handling and Prevention of Kidney Disease in Children

Management of kidney disease in children depends on the cause. For example, kidney disease caused by high blood pressure must be treated by lowering blood pressure. If it is caused by an infection, the doctor will treat infections that cause kidney disease with antibiotic drugs.

For kidney disease caused by a birth defect, your doctor may suggest surgery to correct a defective or malfunctioning part of the kidney.

The sooner treatment is obtained, the better the chance to prevent permanent kidney damage in children. If treated late, this condition can lead to kidney failure.

If the child has experienced kidney failure, the treatment that will be given by a doctor includes:

• Medications and special diets for kidney disease.
• Dial blood.
• Blood transfusion, if kidney failure causes anemia.
• Kidney transplant.

The choice of method for handling kidney disease in children will be adjusted to the cause and how severe the condition of the child when treated.

By understanding the risk factors and recognizing the symptoms of kidney disease in children, this disease can be immediately examined by a doctor and treated as soon as possible. If the child gets treatment early, then complications can be prevented and the child's growth and development can continue to run well.

Conversely, if treated too late, kidney disease in children can cause complications in the form of growth and development obstacles, anemia, permanent kidney damage, until death. Therefore, do not delay to check the child to the doctor if you find some signs and symptoms of kidney disease in children.

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