Inflammation of the kidneys in a child is a very common occurrence. It can be caused by congenital anomalies of the urinary system, and also occur due to weakened immunity or as a complication of other diseases. In childhood, the immune system is still imperfect, so the body is prone to the development of inflammatory processes in the body. Since children at an early age cannot yet explain what is bothering them, it is very important to know what symptoms of inflammation of the kidneys in children can manifest in order to be able to recognize the disease at an early stage.
General information and types of inflammation
Inflammatory processes of the urinary system can develop at any age. Girls are more prone to this than boys, which is due to the peculiarity of the structure of the organs of the genitourinary system. Inflammation of the kidneys in a child is a pathological process that cancover various parts of the kidneys, disrupting their functioning. Without proper treatment, this can lead to serious complications. Inflammatory processes in the kidneys are defined as nephritis, which has other forms, depending on the location of the focus of the disease.
The most common kidney disease is pyelonephritis, which affects the calyces and pelvis of the organ. Most often it occurs due to hypothermia of the body or under the influence of bacteria. This disease mainly affects children under seven years of age. Without proper treatment, it can provoke kidney failure.
There are also diseases such as:
- Glomerulonephritis - inflammation of the renal tangles responsible for filtering urine. Two kidneys suffer at once. Is an autoimmune disease.
- Interstitial nephritis - inflammation of the intermediate tissues of the organ.
- Tubulointerstitial - inflammation of the kidney channels.
Distinguish between acute nephritis that occurs due to exposure to bacteria, toxins and viruses. Chronic manifests itself with improper treatment or its complete absence.
Since the symptoms of the above diseases are similar, to determine the exact diagnosis, you must consult a doctor and take the necessary tests.
Reasons
Inflammation of the kidneys in a child 1 year old and older can develop for many reasons. Consider the main ones:
- Heredity.
- Congenital malformations of the urinary system.
- Bacterial infections caused by streptococcus,pneumococcus, Escherichia coli. As a rule, they provoke inflammation, entering the body through the urinary tract.
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus.
- Hypercooling.
- Impaired urine outflow.
- Complications after viral infections or vaccinations against the background of reduced immunity.
- Lack of fluid intake.
- Inadequate hygiene.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Exposure to toxins.
- Sometimes the development of the inflammatory process is due to allergic reactions to certain drugs.
- Having a chronic disease.
Symptoms
Signs of inflammation of the kidneys in children depend on the form of the disease. In the chronic course of the disease, the child may not be bothered by obvious symptoms, with the exception of general malaise and pain in the lumbar or abdomen. The temperature during inflammation of the kidneys in children can rise to high values for no apparent reason.
The acute course of the disease is characterized by the following manifestations:
- low back pain;
- weakness;
- abdominal enlargement;
- temperature increase;
- headache;
- puffiness;
- increased perspiration;
- nausea and sometimes vomiting;
- pallor of the skin;
- a urinary disorder that can sometimes cause pain;
- change in color and smell of urine - becomes cloudy and has a sharp unpleasant odor;
- convulsions;
- skin tingling;
- lack of appetite.
When a child has inflammation of the kidneys, symptoms and treatment will be interrelated.
Features in newborns
Due to the small size of the kidneys in newborns, the inflammatory process proceeds more rapidly. Therefore, this pathological condition is very dangerous at this age, because the kidneys in infants perform a large number of functions. The causes of inflammatory processes in children under one year old are cystitis, dysbacteriosis or the common cold.
Due to the fact that a small child cannot tell what is bothering him, parents should pay attention to such signs as constant crying, bloating, change in color and smell of urine, diarrhea. There are also frequent regurgitation, signs of dehydration and pale skin against the background of cyanotic lips and the area around the mouth. These symptoms are often mistaken for an intestinal infection.
Children after two years of age may indicate pain in the back and sides. If such conditions are identified, it is recommended to contact a medical institution for advice as soon as possible. It must be remembered that in young children, the development of the inflammatory process can cause life-threatening complications. Given the fact that symptoms can be misinterpreted in favor of another disease, it is very important to contact a qualified specialist in a timely manner.
Diagnosis
If any of the above are foundsymptoms, the doctor, first of all, collects an anamnesis, where he clarifies the presence of chronic diseases, allergic reactions, and a hereditary factor. Then the patient is sent for laboratory and instrumental studies, including the following procedures:
- general urinalysis;
- urinalysis according to Nechiporenko;
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- computed tomography;
- ultrasound;
- in the case when the treatment does not bring results, and the patient's condition worsens, a biopsy is prescribed;
- urography and others.
These methods allow you to determine the presence of infections in the body, determine the focus of the lesion and evaluate the work of the kidneys.
Treatment of inflammation of the kidneys in children and the establishment of an accurate diagnosis is carried out by a narrow-profile specialist - a urologist or nephrologist.
Treatment
Therapy for inflammation of the kidneys is prescribed by the attending physician individually. This necessarily takes into account the condition of the child, the course of the disease and the cause that caused the disease. There are several ways to treat kidney inflammation in children. These include conservative and surgical therapy, diet and bed rest. Nutrition should be indicated by a doctor, as in some cases increased fluid intake is indicated, and in case of severe impairment of kidney function, fluid and s alt are limited.
There are times when conservative methods don't work. In this case, as well as with congenital anomalies in the development of the organs of the urinary system, there may beoperation shown.
Drug therapy
Treatment with drugs is the main method of getting rid of the disease. A large role is given to antibiotic therapy. The drug is selected individually, depending on the causative agent of the disease. Often prescribed drugs such as "Amoxicillin", "Amoxiclav" and others. The doctor also prescribes antihistamines, diuretics and medications that relieve symptoms - antipyretics, painkillers, and others.
Very often, children in the absence of allergies are recommended to take medicines containing natural ingredients. They relieve inflammation and fight bacteria in the genitourinary system. These drugs include Canephron, Phytolysin.
Traditional medicine
Traditional medicine recipes should be used after consulting a doctor. Plants are very helpful in the fight against inflammation, but they should only be used after the acute period of the disease has passed.
The following herbs are included in herbal preparations that are used for kidney diseases:
- centaury;
- rosemary;
- fennel;
- celery;
- chamomile;
- sage;
- linden.
Also, potato juice and a decoction of lingonberry leaves help in the treatment.
We must not forget that before using traditional medicine, you need to consult a doctor. Thoughtless use of infusions can seriously aggravate the course of the disease.
Operation
Surgical intervention is advisable when there is no effect from taking medicines or the presence of kidney stones, anomalies in the structure of organs and the formation of tumors have been diagnosed. With the help of the operation, the focus of inflammation is eliminated and the functioning of the kidneys and urinary tract is normalized.
The procedure usually takes 30-90 minutes. The patient is discharged after one or two weeks.
Complications
Lack of timely treatment or illiterate therapy can provoke a chronic course of the disease, which can no longer be cured completely.
The following complications may also occur:
- hydronephrosis;
- kidney stone formation;
- development of jade;
- renal or heart failure;
- convulsions and loss of consciousness;
- boys experience reproductive problems as they get older, and girls experience pregnancy complications in the future.
Prevention
The first preventive measure in children is hygiene. It is necessary to change the diaper in time, wash the baby, monitor the regularity of the stool and empty the bladder. Avoid hypothermia. Refuse s alty, fatty, spicy foods and normalize drinking regimen. In the absence of allergies, herbal teas and vitamin complexes are recommended.
If the baby is breastfed, the mother should follow the diet.
It is necessary to treat everything to the enddiseases to prevent their transition to the chronic phase.
Conclusion
Inflammation of the kidneys in a child is a dangerous disease, which is not always diagnosed the first time. It is necessary to monitor children and, if certain symptoms appear, discussed in the article, consult a doctor as soon as possible. Do not self-medicate, as therapy should be prescribed only after an accurate diagnosis has been determined.
