What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard accumulations of minerals such as calcium, crystallized salts, and other elements found in urine. Typically, the stone forms in the kidney before passing through the urinary tracts that connect the kidney to the bladder. In very few cases, these stones can form in the bladder.
In the pediatric population, 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?
Renal lithiasis is an uncommon disease in adolescents and children, with approximately 6.6 annual cases in pediatric hospitals with about 300 beds. *(2)
Most episodes of kidney stones in children and adolescents occur due to an inadequate diet and the amount of fluid consumed. Although with a lower incidence, they can also occur due to 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 fairly common symptoms when we talk about kidney stones:
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Sudden pain in the back or side that is usually constant and sharp.
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Nausea and vomiting.
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Pain in the groin (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 do not know how to distinguish or tell us exactly what hurts, and in most cases, they complain of a stomach ache.
If any of the symptoms described above are detected or if there is any doubt about them, 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 stone. In this latter case, the child is exposed to more radiation, which is why it is not the most common. The doctor will always indicate the examination that should be performed in 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 stone, you can modify it 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
