What is kidney disease in children?

Kidney disease (renal failure) is short-term or permanent damage to the kidneys that results in loss of normal kidney function. There are two different types:

• Acute kidney disease. Acute kidney disease starts suddenly. In some cases, it may be reversed and the kidneys can work normally again.

• Chronic kidney disease. This type gets worse slowly over at least 3 months. It can lead to permanent kidney failure.

What causes kidney disease in a child?

Acute kidney disease may be caused by:

• Less blood flow to the kidneys for a period of time, such as from dehydration, blood loss, surgery, or shock

• A blockage in the urinary tract

• Taking medicines that may cause kidney problems

• Any condition that may slow or block oxygen and blood to the kidneys, such as cardiac arrest

• Hemolytic uremic syndrome. This is usually caused by an E. coli infection. Kidney failure develops because small structures and vessels in the kidney are blocked.

• Glomerulonephritis. This is a type of kidney disease that happens in parts of the kidneys called glomeruli. The glomeruli become inflamed and harm how the kidney filters urine.

Chronic kidney disease may be caused by:

• A long-term blockage in the urinary tract

• Alport syndrome. This is an inherited disorder. It causes deafness, kidney damage that gets worse over time, and eye defects.

• Nephrotic syndrome. This is a condition that causes protein in the urine, low protein in the blood, high cholesterol levels, and tissue swelling.

• Polycystic kidney disease. This is a genetic disorder. It causes many cysts filled with fluid to grow in the kidneys.

• Cystinosis. This is an inherited disorder. The amino acid cystine collects in cells in the kidney called lysosomes.

• Other chronic conditions. Conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic urinary tract infections, can lead to kidney problems. If these aren't treated, less oxygen and blood can get to the kidneys.

• Untreated acute kidney disease. Acute kidney disease may turn into chronic kidney disease if not treated.

Which children are at risk for kidney disease?

A child is more at risk for acute kidney disease if they have:

• Blood loss, surgery, or shock

• A blockage in the urinary tract

• Been taking medicines that may cause kidney problems

• A condition that may slow or block oxygen and blood to the kidneys, such as cardiac arrest

• Hemolytic uremic syndrome

• Glomerulonephritis

A child is more at risk for chronic kidney disease if they have:

• A long-term blockage in the urinary tract

• Alport syndrome

• Nephrotic syndrome

• Polycystic kidney disease

• Cystinosis

• Untreated diabetes

• Untreated high blood pressure

• Untreated acute kidney disease

What are the symptoms of kidney disease in a child?

The symptoms for acute and chronic kidney disease may be different. These are the most common symptoms. But symptoms may be a bit different for each child.

Symptoms of acute kidney disease can include:

• Bleeding (hemorrhage)

• Fever

• Rash

• Bloody diarrhea

• Severe vomiting

• Stomach pain

• No urine or lots of urine

• Pale skin

• Swelling of the tissues

• Inflammation of the eye

• Stomach mass

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease can include:

• Poor appetite

• Vomiting

• Bone pain

• Headache

• Stunted growth

• Malaise

• Lots of urine or no urine

• Repeated urinary tract infections

• Urinary incontinence

• Pale skin

• Bad breath

• Hearing problems

• Stomach mass

• Tissue swelling

• Irritability

• Poor muscle tone

• Change in mental alertness

The symptoms of acute and chronic kidney disease can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is kidney disease diagnosed in a child?

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. They will give your child a physical exam. Your child may also have tests, such as:

• Blood tests. These look at blood cell counts, electrolyte levels, and kidney function.

• Urine test. This test looks for protein and blood in the urine and other problems.

• Renal ultrasound (sonography). This is a painless test that uses sound waves and a computer to create images of body tissues. During the test, a healthcare provider moves a device called a transducer over the belly in the kidney area. This sends a picture of the kidney to a video screen. The healthcare provider can see the size and shape of the kidney. They can also see a growth, kidney stone, cyst, or other problems.

• Renal biopsy. The healthcare provider takes a small sample of kidney tissue. This is done through the skin with a needle or during surgery. The sample is looked at under a microscope.

How is kidney disease treated in a child?

Most children with kidney disease see both a pediatrician or family healthcare provider and a nephrologist. A nephrologist is a healthcare provider with special training to treat kidney problems.

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. It also depends what kind of kidney disease your child has.

Treatment of acute kidney disease depends on what is causing it. Treatment may include:

• A hospital stay

• IV (intravenous) fluids in large amounts to replace fluid loss

• Medicines called diuretics to increase the amount of urine made

• Close watching of blood salts (electrolytes), such as potassium, sodium, and calcium

• Medicines to control blood pressure

• Changes to diet (see below)

Treatment of chronic kidney disease depends on how well the kidney is still working. Treatment may include:

• Medicines to help with growth, prevent loss of bone density, treat anemia, or a combination of these

• Medicines called diuretics to increase the amount of urine made

• Changes to diet (see below)

• Dialysis (see below)

• Surgery to remove a damaged kidney and replace it with a healthy one (kidney transplant)

Your child may need to make changes to their diet. Your child may need to limit:

• Protein. Protein is vital for correct growth and nutrition. But the kidneys may not be able to get rid of the waste products that come from eating too much protein. Your child's healthcare provider will talk with you about how much protein your child needs.

• Potassium. Potassium is an important nutrient. But when the kidneys don’t work well, too much potassium can build up in the blood. Potassium comes from certain foods. Your child may need to limit or not eat foods with a lot of potassium.

• Phosphorus. The kidneys help remove extra phosphorus from the body. If the kidneys are not working well, too much phosphorus builds up in the bloodstream and can cause calcium to leave the bones. This can make your child's bones weak and easy to break. Your child may need to limit foods with phosphorus.

• Sodium. A low-sodium diet can help prevent or reduce fluid retention in your child's body. The healthcare provider will talk with you about the amount of sodium allowed in your child's diet.

In some cases, a child may develop severe problems with electrolytes. This may cause dangerous levels of waste products in the blood that are normally removed by the kidneys. A child may also develop fluid overload. A child may need dialysis in these cases.

Dialysis is a procedure that filters waste and extra fluid from the blood. This is normally done by the kidneys. There are two types of dialysis.

What are possible complications of kidney disease in a child?

Because the kidneys have many functions, kidney failure can affect many body systems. Complications may include:

• Low red blood cell count (anemia)

• Problems with the heart and blood vessels

• Bone disease

• Pain in the bones, joints, and muscles

• Decreased mental function, including confusion and dementia

• Nerve damage in the arms and legs

• A greater risk of getting infections

• Poor nutrition

• Skin changes, including dryness and itching

When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?

Call your child’s healthcare provider if your child has:

• Symptoms that don’t get better, or get worse

• New symptoms

Key points about kidney disease in children

• Kidney disease (renal failure) is short-term or permanent damage to the kidneys that results in loss of normal kidney function. There are two different types.

• Acute kidney disease starts suddenly. In some cases, it may be reversed and the kidneys can work normally again.

• Chronic kidney disease gets worse slowly over at least 3 months. It can lead to permanent kidney failure.

• Kidney disease has many possible causes, such as blood loss, medicines, urinary blockage, genetic disease, or infections.

• Treatment may include changes in diet, medicines, dialysis, or surgery.

• Because the kidneys have many functions, kidney failure can affect many body systems.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.

• Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your child’s healthcare provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.