Kidney stones are hard concretion of the minerals and other elements that are found in urine. The stones typically form in the kidney before it passes down the tubes connecting the kidney to the bladder. These stones rarely form in the bladder.
Kidney stones can occur at any age , even in premature infants. However it is more common in teens with teen girls having the highest incidence.
Types of kidney stones
There are different types of kidney stones in children. The most common one in the United States contains calcium in association with other materials.
What are the causes of kidney stones ?
- Specific inherited problems
- Blockage of urine flow
- Kidney infection
What are the signs of kidney stones ?
The most common sign of kidney stones in children and teen is the sudden onset of pain in the back or side. The pain is usually constant and severe and usually causes nausea and vomiting.
The pain may move to the groin area as the stone passes down the urinary tract. It usually causes blood to appear in urine. This is usually detected when testing for blood in urine. However in some cases, it may be visible to the naked eye.
Young children with kidney stones are usually unable to tell where the pain is and just complain of tummy ache. A number of children will not experience any pain and the stones are only detected during an evaluation for urinary tract infection or an ultrasound or x-ray done for some other reason.
How is kidney stones treated ?
Once this condition is diagnosed, the initial goal is to help the child pass the stones out of the urinary tract. This is done by drinking lots of water and other fluids. If the child cannot keep fluid down because of nausea and vomiting, she is given fluids through IV. Medicine is often given to reduce the pain.
Stones larger than a ½ inch may require surgery or lithotripsy to remove them. Lithotripsy uses a special machine to send sound waves into your child to smash the stone into much smaller pieces that can be passed down the urinary tract.
How is kidney stones prevented ?
The best treatment is to prevent the condition altogether. Children with this condition should :
- Drink lots of fluid throughout the whole day.
- Limit salt in their diet.
- Limit the amount of soda and soft drink they consume.
Content Sources
Kidney stones in children. National Institute of diabetes and digestion and kidney diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones-children. Accessed May 27th, 2018
Kidney stones. Nemour’s Foundation. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/kidney-stones.html. Accessed May 27th, 2018