Renal failure is kidney failure, or when the kidneys fail to function well enough to filter waste products and remove excess water from the body via the bloodstream. Kidney failure leads to retention of water and the buildup of waste that can damage the body. If not successfully treated, renal failure can progress to total kidney failure and permanent dialysis or transplantation may be the only life-saving options. According to the National Institutes of Health, these are some specific causes of renal failure in children.
Restriction of Blood Flow
Adequate blood flow to the kidneys is vital to their function. Any disease, condition, malformation or injury that interferes with the renal circulation can cause kidney failure. Conditions that cause fluid depletion or mineral imbalance can affect kidney function. When the problem can be corrected, the kidney function may return to normal.
Infection
One bacterial cause of kidney failure is hemolytic uremic syndrome, usually caused by the bacteria E. coli O157:H7. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that this syndrome is more likely to occur in children and the elderly. Dialysis is usually required during the illness. The damage may be temporary or permanent.
Nephrotic Syndrome
This condition may be mild and self-limiting, but can advance to renal failure. It refers to damage to the glomeruli of the kidneys. Nephrotic syndrome can be caused by drugs, allergies, infection and autoimmune disorders, and may occur at any age. When this condition does occur in children, it is most common between the ages of 3 and 5 years according to the "American Association of Kidney Disease." The cause is not always determined. This disease must be carefully treated and monitored. The child often can be weaned from medication and may outgrow the condition.. There is also a genetic form of Nephrotic syndrome that usually requires transplantation within the first few years of life.
Blockage of Urine
Any blockage of the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder and from the bladder to outside the body can damage the kidneys and cause kidney failure. Trauma can cause damage to the ureters and urethra in children.
Congenital Kidney Disease/Birth Defects
These are conditions that children are born with. They may be born with malformed, poorly functioning or even missing kidneys. Some chromosomal abnormalities include kidney involvement. An example is Edwards syndrome in which many organs are involved. "Genetics Home Reference" has documented that mutations of mitochondrial DNA can also cause kidney disease and renal failure.
Genetic Kidney Disease
These are conditions that run in families. "The National Institutes of Health" states that the most common causes of renal failure in children under 4 are birth defects and hereditary disease. In children aged 5 to 14 years, hereditary diseases become the most common cause. An example of a genetic kidney diseases that can lead to renal failure is polycystic kidney disease.
