Your child might have Kidney Disease – Know the Symptoms

The rising epidemic of Diabetes, Hypertension are responsible for the prevelance of Chronic Kidney Disease. Today we are living in the fast food and fast life world. Our kids are surrounded with processed food and they chose to snack high calorie food in front of a computer or TV instead of going out to play. Such changes in diet, food habits and exercise routine and responsible for a bunch of silent killers – Non Communicable Diseases or The Lifestyle Diseases as we today put it. The most vulnerable group for the same is the young generation – our kids!

Kidney Disease comes silently in children:

In adults majority of the time the symptoms of kidney disease are well presented also they are aware of any abnormality in their body however the same is not the case in children. In children, 70% of CKD is associated with tubule interstitial disease and lack the obvious symptoms such as Hematuria (red blood cells in the urine), Hypertension (high blood pressure) or Edema (swelling). More over a child can be confused about the symptoms and may not come forward to discuss the same.

Common symptoms for children are:

• Swelling in the hands and feet.
• Puffiness around the eyes – this is because of the extra fluid built up. This also affects the activity of the child as he/she starts feeling lethargic and tired.
• Indentation or red marks of belts, socks or any tight garment. These red marks may start lasting for a long time and may start looking like bruises.
• Loss of appetite.
• Change in the frequency of urination. There might be an increase or a decrease. Children who have not been toilet trained or who are not in the same age bracket also continue to wet the bed continuously. Such changes should be noted.
• Change in the colour of the urine – if it becomes darker, red, brown or starts to show any signs of blood.
• Change in the smell of the urine should also be noted.
• Headache complaints by children should be taken seriously. They could be because of high BP.
• Complaint of nausea, vomiting, fatigue.
• Poor growth, height and weight should be noted.

CKD runs in the family:

A major risk factor for Chronic Kidney Disease is family history of the same. Genetic disposition is a major aspect.  If you are aware of a family history of CKD, it is best to get a regular check up done.

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