What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard buildups of minerals like calcium, crystallized salts, and other elements found in urine. The stone or calculus typically forms in the kidney before passing through the urinary tracts connecting the kidney to the bladder. In very rare cases, these stones can form in the bladder.
In children, kidney stones are more common in adolescents (with a higher incidence in girls), although they can occur at any age, even in premature babies. *(1)*(3)
Why do they occur in children and adolescents?
Kidney stones are an infrequent disease in adolescents and children, with approximately 6.6 annual cases occurring in pediatric hospitals with about 300 beds. *(2)
Most kidney stone episodes in children and adolescents occur due to an inadequate diet and the amount of fluid consumed. Although less common, they can also result from a hereditary problem, an obstruction of urine flow, or a previous kidney infection. *(1)
How is a kidney stone detected in a child or adolescent?
There are a series of quite common symptoms when it comes to kidney stones:
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Sudden, often constant and sharp, pain in the back or side.
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Nausea and vomiting.
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Groin pain (this occurs when the stone passes through the urinary tract).
- Blood in the urine.
It is important to pay close attention to symptoms in young children, as they may not be able to distinguish or tell us exactly what is hurting, and in most cases, they complain of stomach pain.
If any of the symptoms described above are detected, or if there is any doubt, it is important to see a doctor for a diagnosis.
In most cases, the pediatrician will take a medical history, perform a physical examination, and conduct urine tests (urinalysis), blood tests, and imaging studies such as an abdominal X-ray or kidney ultrasound. In some specific cases, a CT scan (computed tomography) may be performed to locate the calculus. In this latter case, the child is exposed to more radiation, so it is not the most common procedure. The doctor will always indicate the appropriate examination for each case. *(1)*(3)
How can they be prevented?
- It is necessary to ingest a minimum of 2 L of liquid daily, preferably water.
- You must maintain a balanced diet and if you know the origin of the calculus, you can modify and adapt it accordingly.
- You must lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
References:
1. American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2012)
2. © Asociación Española de Pediatría
3. Steven Dowshen, MD, https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/kidney-diseases-childhood-esp.html
