Kidney stones can happen at any age, parents should know how to recognize signs and symptoms

By Dr. Campbell M. Grant
UK Healthcare

It is estimated that one in ten people will develop a kidney stone at some point in their lives, even children and babies have been seen to have kidney stones. Kids particularly may have a more difficult time expressing their symptoms, so it is important to know the signs, know when to get help, and how to avoid them in the future.

Dr. Campbell M. Grant

Kidney stones are hard masses formed in the kidneys usually made from an insoluble chemical compound. Some kidney stones are able to pass through the urinary tract without treatment. However, sometimes they can block a child’s urinary tract and may need treatment for removal.

Some signs that your child may be experiencing kidney stones are:

If your child is experiencing these symptoms on a mild level, you can consider making an appointment with your primary care physician for treatment. But, if your child is experiencing severe pain or fevers, it is recommended to take them to the emergency department.

Once you realize that your child has a kidney stone, you can do a lot to prevent them in the future. First and foremost, the best thing you can do to prevent kidney stones is to drink enough water each day. Drinking enough water keeps urine diluted and helps flush away minerals that have the potential to form stones.

But, if your child keeps getting kidney stones, it may be a sign of an underlying issue. Some people are genetically predisposed to getting kidney stones, but other factors can also play into your likelihood of getting them as well, such as diet and exercise. In this case, medicines can help.

It is important to recognize the signs and get help promptly. In rare cases, if left untreated, kidney stones can block the ureters and increase your risk of infection and put added strain onto your kidneys.

Campbell M. Grant, M.D., is an assistant professor of urology at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.