Newark, NJ -- Kidney stones in children, which were once considered an unusual medical occurrence, have recently become a fairly common condition. Once found only in those of middle age, kidney stones have increased and their prevalence seems related to dietary factors, especially an increase in salt intake. This growing trend is concerning pediatricians, pediatric urologists and nephrologists around the country.
“While in past decades children rarely had kidney stones, many pediatric nephrologists and pediatric urologists are now treating children on a weekly basis for this condition,” reports M. Isabel Roberti, M.D., Director, Pediatric Nephrology and Transplantation. “Most physicians believe the increase in pediatric kidney stones is a result of too much salt and too little drinking water in children’s diets.”
Kidney stones are rarely a serious condition, but can be very painful. The kidney acts as a filter, removing waste products from the body. The urine drains from the kidney into the bladder. In some people, the urine crystallizes and forms a stone. These stones are very tiny, but gradually they can grow. When the stone falls into the ureter, urine backs up behind the stone, stretching the kidney. The pressure builds up, causing pain.
The average age of children with stones is 10 years. Particularly for children, the first sign of a kidney stone could be bloody urine or a urinary tract infection and these are more common than painful events, particularly in younger children.
Factors that play a role in the development of kidney stones include; heredity (predisposition to high levels of calcium), living in a warm climate where people are more likely the experience dehydration, and diet (high sodium content).
The Department of Pediatric Nephrology at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey offers several simple tips for families to keep in mind:
- Limit salty snacks, such as chips and pretzels and French fries, which are loaded with sodium.
- Processed foods, including smoked and cured meats, as well as sodas and canned products have the highest sodium content. Limit sandwich meats, canned soups, and sports drinks.
- Look for “no salt added” or “low sodium” labels when buying food.
- Rinse canned foods under water to remove some of the sodium.
- Tea, coffee, dark chocolate, spinach, nuts and wheat bran can also increase the risk of certain types of kidney stones.
- A child needs to drink two liters (64 ounces) of water a day.
- Sugar-laden juices and sodas don’t count as proper hydration. Make bottled water available and limit soft drinks.
- Allow children to visit the restroom as needed
A good way for a child to tell if he or she is drinking enough water is the need to urinate every three hours. If a child urinates less frequently than that, it might be a sign of dehydration, says Dr. Roberti.
For an appointment, please call (973) 322-5264. For a referral to a pediatric specialist with Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, please call
1(888) 724-7123.
Date: January 21, 2009
CONTACT: Beth Salamon, Public Relations, (973) 322-4926
[ top ] [ back to news index ]
|
|
|
