Kidney Stones in Children

Kidney stones occur when minerals such as calcium form crystals in the kidneys. The crystals, which condense in the urine and reach a certain saturation, grow and combine to form kidney stones. Kidney stones can sometimes pass through the urinary tract. Problems such as pain and blood in the urine may occur during stone falling. Stones that do not fall and remain fixed can cause obstruction in the urinary tract and block the flow of urine.

              Most small kidney stones are cleared from the body without causing any damage. Taking pain medication and drinking plenty of water helps most children with kidney stones recover.

What are the signs and symptoms of kidney stones?

               Usually, kidney stones do not cause symptoms if they are immobile in the kidney or do not pass into the ureter (the muscular tube that connects the kidney to the bladder). Small stones can pass through the urinary tract with little or no pain.

               Larger stones in the urinary system (kidney and urinary tract) can act as an occlusive agent, blocking the flow of urine and causing symptoms. They can cause symptoms such as pain, blood in the urine, nausea and vomiting, frequent or urgent need to urinate, fever and chills. Sometimes, a stone that is too large to dislodge can stop the urine flow from the side it is located. In this case, if appropriate treatment is not applied in time, it can cause kidney damage.

What are the causes of kidney stones in children?

               Most children who get kidney stones have a metabolic disorder that increases their risk of kidney stones. These are excessive urinary excretion of calcium, oxalate and uric acid, insufficient amount of citric acid in the urine, and urinary cystine excretion.

               Other conditions that will increase the likelihood of kidney stone formation are a congenital abnormality that disrupts the urinary flow (stenosis, etc.), some urinary tract infections (such as proteus infection that causes infection stones), not drinking enough water, consuming too much salt, chronic or long-term intestinal inflammation, cystic fibrosis and cystic kidney diseases.

               Some types of kidney stones show familial characteristics, it is seen in many members of the same family. Therefore, having a relative with kidney stones increases the risk of developing stones in the child.

What Should Be Done to Prevent Kidney Stone Formation?

               It is not possible to completely eliminate kidney stone formation. However, if modifiable risk factors are taken into account, new stone formation can be prevented. It is necessary to treat metabolic disease, correct structural disorders that make urine flow difficult, and control urinary tract infection.

               We are at your service with our expert staff in pediatrics and urology.

               Just be healthy.