Chronic kidney diseases on rise in children

Chennai: With a rising incidence of chronic kidney diseases in children, the role of the pediatric nephrologists becomes significant. Medicos emphasized on prevention and risks of chronic kidney diseases in pediatrics at a workshop titled Nephkids organized by Mehta’s Hospitals on Tuesday.

When the kidneys are not working well, waste builds to high levels in the blood, causing symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, vomiting, poor nutritional health, growth failure and either passing no urine at all or passing excessive amounts of urine, more at night.

“As Chronic kidney disease in children is caused by congenital abnormalities. In regions where antenatal foetal ultrasounds are routine, many children with urologic abnormalities are identified before birth, permitting an early intervention. This is yet not in practice in many places. They are identified much later till CKD is severe and symptoms develop,” said Dr. B.R. Nammalwar, director, Centre of Excellence for Pediatric Nephrology.

Kidney functions should be checked in children that show risk factors such as low birth babies, congenital anomalies of kidneys, repeated urinary tract infection or parents affected with kidney ailments.

“Kidney disease can easily be diagnosed with a simple and cheap urine routine and blood pressure check most of the times. If chronic kidney disease is detected early and managed appropriately, the deterioration in kidney function can be slowed or even stopped,” said senior consultant at Centre of Excellence for Pediatric Nephrology Dr Sudha Ekambaram.