Inflammation of the kidneys in a child is a very common occurrence. It can be caused by congenital abnormalities of the urinary system, as well as occur due to weakened immunity or as a complication in 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 still cannot explain what is bothering them, it is very important to know what symptoms of kidney inflammation in children can occur 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 structural features of the genitourinary system. Inflammation of the kidneys in a child is a pathological process that can cover 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 calyx and pelvis of the organ. Most often, it occurs due to hypothermia of the body or under the influence of bacteria. This disease is mainly affected by children under seven years of age. Without proper treatment, it can cause kidney failure.
Also, diseases such as:
- Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the renal tangles responsible for filtering urine. Two kidneys suffer at once. It is an autoimmune disease.
- Interstitial nephritis is an inflammation of the intermediate tissues of an organ.
- Tubulo-interstitial - inflammation of the kidney canals.
There are 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 pass the necessary tests.
Causes
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.
- Hypothermia.
- Violation of the outflow of urine.
- Complications after a viral infection or vaccination against a background of reduced immunity.
- Lack of fluid intake.
- Inadequate hygiene.
- Diabetes.
- Exposure to toxins.
- Sometimes the development of the inflammatory process is due to allergic reactions to certain drugs.
- The presence of chronic diseases.
Symptoms
Signs of kidney inflammation in children depend on the form of the course of the disease. In the chronic course of the disease, the child may not be disturbed by obvious symptoms, with the exception of general malaise and pain in the lower back 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:
- pain in the lumbar;
- weakness;
- an increase in the abdomen;
- temperature rise;
- headache;
- swelling;
- increased sweating;
- nausea, and sometimes vomiting;
- pallor of the skin;
- violation of urination, in which pain can sometimes be felt;
- a change in the color and smell of urine - it becomes cloudy and has a sharp unpleasant odor;
- cramps
- tingling of the skin;
- lack of appetite.
With kidney inflammation in a child, symptoms and treatment will be interconnected.
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. Causes of inflammatory processes in children under one year of age are cystitis, dysbiosis, or the common cold.
Due to the fact that a small child cannot say what is bothering him, parents should pay attention to such signs as constant crying, bloating, discoloration and smell of urine, diarrhea. Frequent regurgitation, signs of dehydration and pallor of the skin against the background of bluish lips and the area around the mouth also appear. Often these symptoms are mistaken for a manifestation of an intestinal infection.
Children after two years may indicate pain in the back and sides. If such conditions are detected, 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. Taking into account the fact that the symptoms can be misinterpreted in favor of another disease, it is very important to contact a qualified specialist in a timely manner.
Diagnostics
If any of the above symptoms are detected, the doctor, first of all, collects an anamnesis, where he clarifies the presence of chronic diseases, allergic reactions, hereditary factor. Then the patient is sent to laboratory and instrumental studies, including the following procedures:
- general urine analysis;
- urine analysis according to Nechiporenko;
- general and biochemical blood analysis;
- CT scan;
- ultrasonography;
- in 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, establish the lesion and evaluate the work of the kidneys.
Treatment of kidney inflammation in children and the establishment of an accurate diagnosis is carried out by a narrow-profile specialist - a urologist or nephrologist.
Treatment
Therapy for kidney inflammation is prescribed by the attending physician individually. In this case, the condition of the child, the course of the disease and the cause of the disease are necessarily taken into account. There are several ways to treat kidney inflammation in children. These include conservative and surgical therapy, diet and bed rest. The nutritional features should be determined by the doctor, since in some cases increased fluid intake is indicated, and with severe violations of the kidneys, fluid and salt are limited.
There are times when conservative methods fail. In this case, as well as with congenital malformations of the urinary system, surgery can be indicated.
Drug therapy
Treatment with drugs is the main method of getting rid of the disease. A large role in this 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, in the absence of allergies, children are recommended to take medications containing natural ingredients. They relieve inflammation and fight bacteria in the genitourinary system. Such drugs include Kanefron, Fitolizin.
ethnoscience
Traditional medicine recipes should be used after consultation with a doctor. Plants very well help in the fight against inflammation, but they can be used only after the acute period of the disease has passed.
The following herbs are part of the herbal preparations used for kidney diseases:
- centaury;
- rosemary;
- fennel;
- celery;
- chamomile;
- sage;
- Linden.
Also, potato juice and a decoction of lingonberry leaves help well in the treatment.
We must not forget that before using traditional medicine, you need to consult a doctor. The thoughtless use of infusions can seriously aggravate the course of the disease.
Operation
Surgical intervention is advisable when there is no effect from taking medication or the presence of kidney stones, abnormalities in the structure of organs and the formation of tumors were diagnosed. With the help of the operation, the focus of inflammation is eliminated and the work of the kidneys and urinary tract is normalized.
The procedure, as a rule, takes 30–90 minutes. After one to two weeks, the patient is discharged.
Complications
Lack of timely treatment or illiterate therapy can provoke a chronic course of the disease, which can no longer be completely cured.
The following complications may also occur:
- hydronephrosis;
- the formation of kidney stones;
- jade development;
- renal or heart failure;
- cramps and loss of consciousness;
- at an older age, boys have problems in the reproductive sphere, and girls in the future show complications during pregnancy.
Prevention
The first preventive measures in children is hygiene. It is necessary to change the diaper in time, wash the baby, monitor the regularity of the stool and emptying the bladder. Avoid hypothermia. Refuse salty, fatty, spicy foods and normalize drinking regimen. In the absence of allergies, it is recommended to take herbal teas and vitamin complexes.
If the baby is breastfed, the mother should follow the diet.
It is necessary to completely treat all diseases in order to exclude 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 observe the children and when 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 determining the exact diagnosis.