Kidney stones do not only occur in adults, and the warning signs of kidney stones differ from adults to children. Adults mostly experience a sharp pain in the abdominal area, whereas the warning signs for children may be much different. Although low-fluid and low-carbohydrate diets among children contribute to kidney stone formation, inherited medical disorders such as cystic fibrosis and congenital abnormalities of the kidneys, ureters and bladder may also lead to formation of kidney stones in children.
Asymptomatic
Many times, especially in younger children, there may be no symptoms associated with a kidney stone at all. In this case, a kidney stone is an incidental finding when another procedure, such as an X-ray, is performed for a different reason.
Pain
Pain is a classic warning sign of kidney stones. Children who suffer with kidney stones often complain of pain anywhere in the midsection (stomach, sides or back) below the level of the ribcage. This pain may also spread to other areas such as the lower abdomen (around the beltline) and the groin area.
Urinary Changes
Kidney stones will cause some changes in the urinary habits of children. When a kidney stone is present, children may experience a painful or burning sensation while urinating. Kidney stones may also cause blood to be present in the urine, giving it a red, pink or brown color. Children who suffer from kidney stones may also experience a need to urinate urgently and more frequently.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Kidney stones can be a factor in a child developing a urinary tract infection. Therefore, if a child develops flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting and chills, this could be indicative of kidney stone presence. If these symptoms develop, medical attention should be sought immediately.
