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 their health and development.
Kidney disease in children is a condition when the kidneys have damaged or decreased 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 conditions, kidney disease in children is divided into two types, namely:
Acute kidney disease
Kidney disease is said to be acute if damage or decline in kidney function occurs suddenly and does not exceed 3 months. Acute kidney disease in children who are treated immediately is generally curable and does not cause permanent damage to the kidneys.
However, if the handling is delayed or damage occurs for more than 3 months, then the kidneys 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 a lot of blood loss 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 there are drugs that must be consumed in the long run or in high doses.
- Conditions that block the supply of oxygen and blood to the kidneys, such as cardiac arrest and hypoxia.
- Inflammation in 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 experience chronic kidney disease, including:
- Genetic disorders, such as cystinosis, are rare genetic disorders that cause damage to kidney cells 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 blockage in the urinary tract.
- Polycystic kidney disease.
- Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, lupus, and untreated high blood pressure.
- A 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 often has no symptoms. New symptoms begin when kidney function begins to decline or damage. When the kidneys are damaged, the child may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Swelling on the face, hands and feet.
- No appetite and frequent vomiting.
- Fatigue and pale appearance.
- Feeling painful or looking fussy after urinating.
- Fever.
- Frequency of urination becomes less frequent.
- Bloody pee.
- Frequent headaches.
- Hard to breathe.
- Stunted growth and development of children.
If the child experiences the above symptoms, immediately consult a pediatrician to get treatment.
In determining the diagnosis and finding 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 birth defects, your doctor may suggest surgery to correct a defective or malfunctioning part of the kidney.
The sooner the treatment is obtained, the better the chance to prevent permanent kidney damage in children. If late handled, this condition can lead to kidney failure.
If the child has experienced kidney failure, treatment that will be given by a doctor includes:
- Drugs and special diets for kidney disease.
- Dialysis.
- Blood transfusion, if kidney failure has caused anemia.
- Kidney transplant.
The choice of method of 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, to 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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