From Dehydration to Genetics: Understanding the Causes and Treatment of Kidney Stones in Children

Kidney stones in children can be caused by a variety of factors such as a high-salt diet, urinary system defects, family genetic predisposition, and lifestyle choices. These stones form when minerals accumulate in the kidneys and condense into hard crystals. While some diseases can lead to kidney stones, many cases are linked to diet and nutrition.

One of the primary causes of kidney stones in children is dehydration. Not drinking enough water can lead to concentrated and dark urine, increasing the likelihood of crystal formation. Protein-rich foods, a high-salt diet, and foods rich in oxalates can also increase the risk of kidney stones. Family history, immobility due to surgery, and certain types of kidney stones like calcium, cystine, struvite, and uric acid stones can also play a role in kidney stone formation in children.

Symptoms of kidney stones in children may include abdominal or side pain, blood in the urine, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting. If a child experiences back pain and blood in their urine or if they experience symptoms that persist for more than two weeks without improvement despite self-care measures such as increased water intake or over-the-counter pain medication, it is important to seek medical attention promptly.

Treatment for kidney stones in children may involve antibiotics for urinary tract infections and surgery for large stones that do not pass on their own. In some cases where there is no visible stone but there is evidence of damage to the urinary tract from past episodes of crystalluria or from structural abnormalities like ureteral strictures or bladder diverticulae that might have contributed to crystal formation then endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stone removal may be necessary even if no visible stone is seen on imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scan. Parents should consult a doctor if they suspect their child has kidney stones.

It’s important for parents to ensure their child’s diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables which help prevent dehydration while limiting protein-rich foods