Kidney Stones Child
Overview
Causes
Some of the known causes of kidney stones in children include:
- Too much oxalate in the urine
- Too much calcium in the urine or blood
- Too much uric acid in the urine
- A stone can form around bacteria
- Inherited abnormality in the way the body handles cystine
- Foreign bodies in the urinary tract, such as stents or catheters
- Abnormal function of the urinary tract, such as neurogenic bladder
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your child’s chance of developing kidney stones include:
- Dehydration —not drinking enough fluids
- Eating foods high in salt
- Eating a ketogenic diet to help control epilepsy
- Mineral content of water your child drinks (hardness or softness of the water)
- Having family members who have had kidney stones or gout
- Having kidney stones in the past
- Being overweight
- Medical conditions, such as urinary tract infections or metabolic conditions
- Geographic location—residents of the Southeast United States have an increased risk
- Limited physical activity
- Foreign material in the urinary tract, such as a catheter
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Occasionally, kidney stones do not cause symptoms, and they leave the body in the urine. Often a kidney stone can cause symptoms such as:
- Sudden, severe pain in the side of the body or mid- or lower back during movement
- Pain in the belly or groin area
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blood in the urine
- Burning pain when urinating
- Fever
- Recurring urinary tract infections
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your child’s symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Images of the kidneys and urinary tract may be taken with:
- Ultrasound
- KUB (kidney, ureter, bladder) x-rays
- Spiral CT scan
- Rarely, IV pyelogram (IVP)
A 24-hour urine test may also be done to look for levels of minerals in the urine including calcium , phosphorus , uric acid, oxalate, and citrate.
Treatments
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size and location of the kidney stone. Treatment may include:
Water
For small kidney stones, having your child drink plenty of water will help the body pass the stone in the urine. A special cup may be provided to catch the stone when it passes so that it can be analyzed. If your child is having a hard time keeping fluids down, hospitalization may be needed to receive fluids through an IV.
Medication
Your child may be advised to take:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Prescription pain relievers
- Medication to dissolve or expel the kidney stone
Surgery
Surgery may be needed if the stone is:
- Very large or growing larger
- Causing bleeding or damage to the kidney
- Causing infection
- Blocking the flow of urine
- Unable to pass on its own
Types of surgery include:
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)—uses shock waves to break up stones that are too large to pass
-
Ureteroscopy and stone basketing or laser lithotripsy—camera is used to locate the stone
- Stone basketing—A tiny basket is used to remove the stone.
- Laser lithotripsy—The stone is broken into smaller pieces with a laser if it is too large to remove.
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy—uses a scope placed through a small tube in the back to remove a large stone (rare)
- Lithotomy—open surgery to remove a stone (rare)
Prevention
Once a child has had one kidney stone, more stones are likely. To help reduce your child's chance of future stones:
- Have your child drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid sodas.
- Make sure your child does not eat too much food that is high in salt, such as potato chips, french fries, or processed meats.
- A calcium-rich diet can help bind oxalate before it reaches the kidney. Encourage milk and yogurt.
- If your child is overweight, work with your child’s doctor to learn the safest way for your child to lose weight.
- Encourage water during sporting activities or other active playtimes.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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