Kidney Stones in Kids & Teens: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Kidney stones can affect kids and teens, causing significant pain and discomfort. These stones form when minerals build up in the kidneys. Children who have had a kidney stone are at high risk of developing another, a situation known as "recurrence." The estimated risk of recurrence in children ranges from 16% to 44% after experiencing one kidney stone episode. 

The percentage of pediatric ward patients with kidney stones has doubled in the last decade, increasing from 5-10% to 20-25%, and knowing the symptoms, causes, and treatments can help manage and prevent kidney stones in younger patients.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones in Kids and Teens

The signs of kidney stones in Children and teens can vary depending on the size and location of the stone. Common symptoms include severe pain, which is often described as sharp and can occur in the back, side, lower belly, or groin and may come and go. Another symptom is blood in the urine, making it appear pink, red, or brown. Nausea and vomiting frequently accompany severe pain. Kids may also experience frequent urination, often with pain. If an infection is present, fever and chills can also occur. These symptoms can start one at a time or all at once based on the severity of the kidney stone and its location. It is important to get medical attention even if one of these symptoms starts showing in children and teens.

Causes of Kidney Stones in Kids and Teens

Kidney stones in children causes include dehydration, dietary factors, genetics, medical conditions, and medications. Let’s take a closer look into how each of these cause result in the development of kidney stones.

Not Drinking Enough Water

One of the most common causes of kidney stones is not drinking enough water. When kids and teens don’t stay hydrated, their urine becomes more concentrated, leading to the formation of crystals that can develop into kidney stones. Encouraging children to drink plenty of water throughout the day can help prevent this.

Diet

Diet plays a significant role in the development of kidney stones. Consuming foods high in salt (sodium) can increase calcium in the urine, leading to stone formation. Children often consume fast food, which is high in sodium, which can increase their risk of kidney stones. Similarly, eating a lot of sugar and foods high in oxalates, like spinach, chocolate, and nuts, can also increase the risk. It's important for kids and teens to maintain a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods while limiting those high in salt and sugar.

Family History

Genetics can also play a role in the likelihood of developing kidney stones. If a child’s parents or other close family members have had kidney stones, the child is more likely to develop them as well. This inherited risk means that family history should be considered when evaluating a child's risk for kidney stones. In case of family history of kidney stones, preventative measures need to be followed thoroughly to keep the risk in check.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can increase the risk of kidney stones in kids and teens. These include:

1. Hyperparathyroidism: This condition causes the parathyroid glands to produce too much parathyroid hormone, leading to high levels of calcium in the blood and urine, which can form stones.
2. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Frequent UTIs can alter the normal balance of substances in the urine, increasing the risk of stone formation.
3. Metabolic Disorders: Disorders that affect the way the body processes minerals and other substances, such as cystinuria or renal tubular acidosis, can lead to the formation of kidney stones.

Kidney stones caused due to medical conditions require thorough medical diagnosis and treatment of the underlying conditions before the stones can be treated.

Medications

Certain medications can also lead to the formation of kidney stones. For example:

• Diuretics: These medications help the body get rid of excess water and salt, but they can also increase the concentration of certain substances in the urine.
• Calcium-based Antacids: These can increase calcium levels in the urine.
• Specific Antibiotics: Some antibiotics can cause changes in the urine that promote stone formation.

If kidney stones are formed due to the consumption of medication, doctors can easily eliminate the medicines from your child’s diet and recommend lifestyle changes to help any stones pass.

Treatment Options for Kidney Stones in Children

Treating kidney stones in kids and teens depends on the stone's size, type, and symptoms. Some of the most successful kidney stones in children treatment options are:

1. Hydration and Pain Management

Increased Fluid Intake: One of the simplest and most effective treatments for kidney stones is ensuring that the child drinks plenty of fluids. Drinking more water helps dilute the substances in the urine that can form stones, making it easier for the stones to pass through the urinary tract and be flushed out of the body. Parents should encourage their children to drink water regularly throughout the day, aiming for clear or light yellow urine.

Pain Management

Managing the pain from kidney stones is essential, especially for children who may find it particularly distressing. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help ease mild to moderate pain. For more severe discomfort, doctors may prescribe stronger pain medications to ensure the child remains comfortable while the stones pass.

2. Medications

• Alpha Blockers: Medications such as tamsulosin can be prescribed to help relax the muscles in the urinary tract, making it easier for the stones to pass. Alpha-blockers are used to treat stones that are stuck in the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.
• Potassium Citrate: This medication is effective in preventing the formation of new stones, especially in children who have a history of calcium-based stones or are on a ketogenic diet. Potassium citrate works by making the urine less acidic, which helps prevent certain types of stones from forming.

3. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

ESWL uses shock waves to break kidney stones into tiny pieces so they can pass naturally without surgery. The procedure is performed under sedation or anaesthesia to ensure the child remains comfortable throughout.

ESWL has a high success rate, with over 90% effectiveness in treating renal and ureteral stones in children. It is a preferred method for treating stones that are too large to pass on their own but not large enough to require more invasive surgery.

4. Ureteroscopy

Ureteroscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a thin, flexible scope called a ureteroscope through the urethra and bladder to locate and treat kidney stones. Once the stone is located, it can be removed or broken into smaller pieces using a laser or other tools.

• Holmium Laser Lithotripsy uses a laser to break stones into tiny pieces, making them easier to pass in the urine. It is known for quicker procedures and better results compared to other methods.
• Pneumatic Lithotripter: Another method used during ureteroscopy involves breaking stones into smaller pieces using mechanical energy. This technique is effective in fragmenting the stones so they can be easily passed in the urine.

5. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

PCNL is a surgical technique specifically designed to remove large kidney stones. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the back, and instruments are inserted directly into the kidney to remove the stones. PCNL is reserved for stones that are too large or difficult to remove using other methods. It is highly effective but more invasive than other treatment options.

6. Dietary Changes

• Increased Hydration: Encouraging children to drink more fluids is a key preventive measure. Adequate hydration helps dilute the urine and prevent stone formation.
• Dietary Adjustments: Certain dietary changes can help reduce the risk of kidney stones. Limiting the intake of salt and foods high in oxalates, such as spinach, chocolate, and nuts, can be beneficial.

Preventive Measures

Preventing kidney stones in kids and teens involves making changes to their lifestyle and diet. Here are some key preventive measures:

• Encouraging kids and teens to drink plenty of fluids is essential. Aim for them to have enough water so their urine is clear or light yellow. Staying hydrated helps dilute substances in the urine that can form stones.
• A balanced diet can help prevent kidney stones. Reduce the intake of salty foods and those high in oxalates, like spinach, chocolate, and nuts. Encourage a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which can help lower the risk of stone formation.
• Regular medical check-ups are important to monitor and manage any health conditions that could lead to kidney stones. Conditions like hyperparathyroidism or urinary tract infections should be managed properly to reduce the risk.

Conclusion

Kidney stones in kids and teens can be extremely painful, but with proper understanding and care, symptoms can be managed and future stones prevented. If you suspect your child has kidney stones, seek medical help immediately for the best treatment options. To get details on kidney stone removal surgery in Delhi at MASSH, check out our website. 

We offer various minimally invasive and non-invasive treatment options for kidney stones, which have minimal risks and allow children to recover quickly. You can consult with our specialists to get a good understanding of the type of treatment that’s best suited for your child’s case. To get started, you can request a call back from our website.