tPediatric Kidney Disease Symptoms
How Aware Are You?
Can you spot pediatric kidney disease symptoms? Children are not as aware of their bodies as adults are. In fact, they may not readily recognize potential health threats as they happen. Because of this, diseases and health issues can go unnoticed for a long period of time. This includes Kidney Failure.
This, however, doesn’t always have to be the case. For pediatric kidney disease, here are a few of the symptoms you can watch out for:
- Changes in your child’s urinating pattern. He may start to have bed wetting episodes despite being able to use the bathroom independently.
- Symptoms of flu, including nausea, vomiting and weakness. He may even show poor appetite.
- Poor performance at school
- Difficulty concentrating in academic activities
- Swelling marked by indentation from socks and belt
- Inability to freely move around due to swelling of extremities
- High blood pressure
- Headache
- Visible changes in his urine’s color, smell and transparency. It can even be blood-tinged in some cases.
- Slower growth compared to peers
- Palpable mass
- Pale skin
- Bad breathe
- Poor muscle tone
Aside from these manifestations, kidney diseases in children can also cause the following concerns:
- Learning problems
- Behavioral issues
- Relationship conflicts
- Negative self-image
- Delayed development of both language and motor skills
There are a lot of reasons why pediatric kidney diseases develop. In fact, it doesn’t necessarily have to always be due to an infection. Some kidney diseases can happen due to trauma, birth defects or systemic diseases. They can also be due to a blockage in the tract that causes a reflux of urine to the kidneys. Some cases result from exposure to harmful and toxic substances, such as heavy metals, nephrotoxic medications, and toxic solvents.
If you have a genetic predisposition to kidney disease, it’s best if you can get your child checked right away. Urine and blood tests are two of the most common diagnostic methods your doctor can order for your child. If a blockage is suspected, he may also order for an X-ray or an ultrasound. He may also order for a bone scan and ECG to determine possible complications as well.
Aside from these methods, establishing awareness in your child can also help with early detection. Explaining kidney disease to children doesn’t have to be extremely detailed or complicated. In fact, you can simply go through the list of things he should tell you in case he feels something weird from his body, such as feeling hotter than usual or any presence of pain. Children may not be as aware as adults are, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be taught how to listen to their bodies, or even their kidneys, at an early stage. Keep an eye out for these issues if you suspect pediatric kidney diseases.
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