One day, I went to see a familiar patient in the
hospital. I was surprised to see a child with kidney disease sitting next to
me! The question came to mind - how does a kidney that has never had time to be
used develop kidney disease again? The specialist cleared up our ignorance.
When we hear that a child has kidney problems, we look
at them with questioning eyes. Once upon a time, when I saw a child I knew with
kidney disease, I also looked at them with questioning eyes and, like the
child's family, I was also scared to hear about such a big disease in a small
child. This kidney is one of the important organs.
The question came to mind - how does a kidney that has
never had time to be used develop kidney disease again? The specialist cleared
up our ignorance.
I learned from the expert - Kidney disease in children
and its complications are not a rare problem. Children often suffer from
various types of kidney problems. Among them, kidney and urinary tract
infections, inflammation, and nephrotic
syndrome are notable.
In a special type of kidney disease, the child's body
swells and water accumulates in the body. This is called nephrotic syndrome.
In a child suffering from this disease, excessive
amounts of protein are excreted in the urine, resulting in a decrease in the
amount of albumin in the blood. The level of fat in the blood also increases.
Finally, the whole body swells.
The doctor said that this disease is usually seen in
children between the ages of 2 and 5. This disease is relatively more common in
boys. Initially, the eyelids swell and then the face becomes swollen. Within
2-3 days, the stomach, hands and feet become watery and the whole body swells.
Sometimes the amount of urine decreases, but the color is usually normal.
Some tests may be needed to diagnose the disease, such
as checking the amount of protein excreted in the urine daily. It is easily
detected by taking urine in a test tube at the patient's bedside and performing
a heat coagulation test.
Regarding the treatment, the doctor said –
1) Complete
rest for the first two or three weeks. Eat normal food. However, excess salt in
the food is prohibited.
2) If
any complications are found, they must be treated. For example, if there is
excess water in the stomach, it must be removed or if there is water in the
chest, it must be injected.
3) If
there is an infection, it must be treated.
4) Steroids
are very effective drugs in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in children,
but they must be used in the correct dosage and for a specific period. This
dosage schedule must be started by hospitalization under the supervision of
pediatricians.
About 93% of pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome recover completely.
Even after treatment, frequent swelling of the body may be seen. Later, most of
them recover completely within 14-15 years.
How to keep your child's kidneys healthy --
1) The
doctor said - Children's kidneys can easily be affected by various problems
including diarrhea. Parents need to be widely aware to prevent kidney disease
in children –
If diarrhea or loose stools occur,
you should start taking saline orally in the right amount and time.
Children aged 0 to 2 years should be
given 10 to 20 teaspoons, children aged 2 to 5 years should be given 20 to 40
teaspoons, and those over 5 years should be given 1 to 2 glasses of saline
repeatedly. Increased thirst, restlessness, sunken eyes, loose skin, decreased
urine output, etc. are symptoms of severe dehydration.
In this case, 75 milliliters of
saline is required for every kilogram of weight. Therefore, it is better to
take the child to the hospital and give saline intravenously.
2) Fever
and other diseases or infections also cause dehydration in the child's body. At
this time, the child should be given enough water and liquid food. It should be
noted whether the child is urinating 4 to 8 times in 24 hours.
3) In
the case of a newborn, it is possible to fill all types of dehydration only
through breast milk. In that case, milk should be given repeatedly. Even then,
the symptoms of dehydration should be taken into account.
4) Newborns
who are born underweight or prematurely have a low number of nephrons in their
kidneys. Their immunity is also low. Therefore, special precautions are
required in their case.
5) Children's
medicines (antibiotics, paracetamol, painkillers, etc.) come in different doses
depending on their age and weight. Therefore, no medicine should be given
without the advice of a specialist doctor. There is a risk of kidney failure if
the medicine is used in the wrong dose or dosage.
6) Some
children may have congenital kidney defects. Symptoms may include dribbling
urine, not being able to feel the speed of urine, straining to urinate,
urination in a narrow stream, frequent urinary tract infections, and partially
full bladder. If suspected, it is possible to completely recover through
various surgical procedures including ultrasonography.
7) Another
important cause of kidney problems in children is kidney inflammation. Its
symptoms include decreased urine output, red urine, swelling of the body, high
blood pressure, etc. If the disease is identified and treated quickly, there is
no risk of kidney failure.
To ensure a healthy life for a child, one must be
aware of the above issues from the time of birth.
Awareness is essential to lead a healthy life.
