Kidney Stones in kids

Is your child experiencing pain in the kidney, back, or lower abdomen? Or, Do they feel any pain or burning when they urinate? Is the urine pink, red, or brown with blood stains, cloudy, pungent-smelling, or any other of these? Parents! Please don’t ease; these could be indicators of kidney stones.

Kidney stones in children and adolescents have increased in prevalence during the past 20 years. Although children of any age, including premature infants, are susceptible, the majority of stone cases involve teenagers. Continue reading for tips on foods to eat and stay away from to prevent kidney stones.

WHAT ARE KIDNEY STONES ( ALSO, PAIN IN KIDNEY)?

Kidney stones, which resemble solid pebbles, can develop in a child’s kidney if the level of minerals in the urine is too high. These stones cause pain in kidney and obstruct the natural passage of urine. Kidney stones in children are uncommon, although they are becoming more prevalent. Children typically heal without experiencing any further issues. If precautions are taken or treated properly by a medical specialist, kidney stones seldom result in permanent harm.

Two kidneys, ureters, a bladder, and the urethra make up the urinary tract. Urine contains oxalate, calcium, cysteine, and uric acid, among other chemicals. These chemicals crystallise at increasing concentrations. Smaller crystals migrate through the urinary tract and are eliminated from the body through urine. They settle on the kidney and enlarge if they are not drained out. It hurts as it grows and occasionally prevents urine flow. Stones smaller than 0.2 inches in diameter can readily pass through.

Also check, 10 Foods and home remedies for UTI in kids

CAUSES: 

The reasons for pain in kidney regions or kidney stones may include increased mineral content in urine, urine that is very concentrated, with little water and a high mineral concentration, dehydration or consuming less water, hereditary diseases, a history of kidney stones in the family, urinary tract issues or a recurrent UTI, decreased exercise and raised obesity, a high-protein, high-sodium, or both in the diet.

TYPES OF KIDNEY STONES:

Types	Description
Calcium stones	Most common among all. Occurs in two forms, calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate.
Cystine stones	Occurs due to hereditary conditions that cause cystine to flow from the kidneys into the urine.
Uric acid stones	There is a risk of uric acid stones forming if the urine is acidic. These stones are either composed entirely of acid or of acid plus calcium.
Struvite stones	Occurs due to UTI’s. Ammonia is produced by some bacteria during urinary tract infections (UTI). Urine ammonia can lead to the development of stones. Phosphate, ammonium, and magnesium are the primary elements of these stones.

SYMPTOMS:

Back or abdominal pain are some of the main symptoms. Other symptoms include  blood in the pee, also known as hematuria, regularly urinating, sickness or vomiting, the strong need to urinate, UTIs that occur repeatedly or for longer periods of time and fever.

Also check, 8 Common causes for stomach pain in kids

Tips FOR PAIN IN KIDNEY REGION OR KIDNEY STONE:

1. Drink lots of fluids:

With the exception of grapefruit juice and soda, this encompasses any form of fluid, including water, coffee, and lemonade, all of which have been demonstrated to have positive effects. This will provide a good urine volume of at least 2.5L/day and less concentrated pee production.

2. Avoid higher intake of salt: 

There might be Increased calcium levels in the urine due to high sodium intake and this increases the risk of developing kidney stones. A low-sodium diet is crucial for regulating blood pressure.

3. Moderation in protein intake:

A high protein diet will make the kidneys excrete more calcium, which could lead to more kidney stones forming.

4. Give supplements in only recommended levels:

Supplements such as vitamin C should be given only in recommended amounts by the doctor. Excess supplements may form oxalates.

5. Eat calcium and Vitamin D rich foods: 

Oxalate levels could increase if your child doesn’t get enough calcium. Instead of using calcium supplements, which have been related to the development of kidney stones, it is recommended to obtain calcium from food. 

Also check, 6 Yummy Calcium rich recipes for kids

FOODS TO AVOID:

• Salt
• Animal protein sources such as red meat, pork, poultry and eggs
• Oxalate rich foods such as chocolate, beet, nut, tea, spinach etc.
• Colas as they contain phosphates
• Excess sugar

FOODS THAT HELP WITH KIDNEY STONES:

Lemon:

Citrate, which is found in abundance in lemons and is known to reduce urine acidity, Because uric acid stones can grow and form in urine that is too acidic, lemons and limes are excellent for removing any existing stones. Lemon juice can be consumed after diluting it with water.

Oranges:

Oranges are citrus fruits that contain citrate, much like lemons and limes do. This decreases the acidity of urine and has the same advantages as lemon juice.

Also check, Food to boost immunity-Orange

Milk: 

A great food source of dietary calcium is milk. While calcium intake from supplements is associated with a higher risk of kidney stones, calcium from food sources, such as milk, is associated with a reduced risk.

Also check, 8 Healthy and creamy recipes for smoothies and milkshakes

Nuts and pulses: 

Other excellent sources of dietary calcium that may lower your risk of kidney stones include legumes and nuts. When calcium is ingested from these food sources, it binds with oxalate throughout the digestive tract. As a result, the likelihood of calcium oxalate forming in the kidneys is decreased.

Rice and oats:

Rice and oats are low in oxalates which are suitable for children with kidney stones.

Also check, 6 Nutritious recipes with oats for breakfast or snacks

Lentil, beans and peas: 

These three vegetarian forms of protein are beneficial for people with kidney stones because everyone needs protein to stay healthy and non vegetarian protein sources may increase the risk of kidney stones.

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