Pediatric kidney disease is a term used to describe any type of kidney disease that develops in children under the age of 19, explains KidsHealth, a children's medical information website established by the Nemours Foundation. In healthy patients, the two kidneys help remove excess waste and toxins from the body in the form of urine. Pediatric patients who develop kidney disease symptoms may be at risk for additional, potentially life-threatening kidney complications, such as kidney failure. Children who develop any kidney disease symptoms should be evaluated by a pediatrician as soon as possible.
Increased or Painful Urination
Kidney damage caused by disease can lead to urination difficulties in pediatric patients. A parent or caregiver can notice that a child begins to urinate more frequently than usual. Children who can normally use the toilet without assistance may suddenly begin to wet the bed at night, explains KidsHealth. A pediatric kidney disease patient may complain that it hurts when he urinates due to sensations of pain or burning during urination. Alternatively, certain children with kidney disease can experience decreased urination, which may lead to additional symptoms. Without treatment, these symptoms can become progressively more severe. Children who develop any urinary difficulties should be taken to a pediatrician immediately as these symptoms can be indicative of alternate medical problems, such as a urinary tract infection.
Urine Discoloration
Kidney disease can cause severe swelling and inflammation within the kidneys. As a result, pediatric patients can begin to excrete discolored urine. A parent or caregiver may observe that a child's urine appears unusually dark or has a brown or red color. This urine discoloration may be due to the abnormal presence of blood within the urine, a symptom called hematuria. An affected child's urine can also appear unusually foamy, which may indicate that the urine contains protein, explains the Children's Hospital at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. If these symptoms arise, an affected child should receive prompt medical care.
Swelling
If the kidneys do not function properly due to kidney disease, excess fluid can begin to accumulate in the body. As a result, pediatric kidney disease patients can experience unusual swelling throughout the body--a symptom called edema, explains KidsHealth. A child's face, ankles or feet can appear unusually swollen or puffy, which can interfere with a child's ability to move about normally. These kidney disease symptoms should be reported to a doctor immediately.
Flu-like Symptoms
Pediatric patients with kidney disease can be at an increased risk of developing kidney infections. If this occurs, children can experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever or headache, due to kidney disease. These flu-like symptoms can indicate other types of medical problems, such as the flu and should be discussed with a pediatrician as soon as possible.
References
- KidsHealth: Kidney Diseases in Childhood
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Overview of Kidney Diseases in Children
- Children's Hospital at Johns Hopkins: Understanding Childhood Kidney Disease
- The Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation: Patient Profile - Kyle Rosen - Pediatric Kidney Disease
