Kidney stone cases on rise in children: Experts warn unhealthy eating and drinking too little water as major risk factors

Kidney stones are pebble-like clusters of minerals and salts that form inside the kidney. It is not deadly, but it can be painful. If you think that kidney stones are common in adults, then think again!! Pediatric urolithiasis / Kidney Stone Disease (KSD) is a common health problem worldwide that is rising in children.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the intake of carbohydrates, protein, processed foods, and table salt. ¡°The rise in obesity and less active lifestyles is also likely to predispose children to kidney stones. Children of all ages can develop kidney stones, but they occur more often in teens. Some of the conditions in children that can result in KSD,¡± says Dr. Amit Saple, Consultant Urologist, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Vizag.

Kidney stone disease is a multifactorial process. In recent decades, the rise in KSD is mainly attributed to changes in lifestyle habits and dietary habits. Dr. Saple adds, ¡°Children tend to have KSD most commonly secondary to metabolic abnormality. Other risk factors include genetic, anatomic, dietary, and environmental factors.¡±

Risk factors of kidney stones in children

• Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection
• Obesity
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Metabolic abnormalities¡ªhypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, hyperparathyroidism, hyperuricosuria, and cystinuria.

Children taking some of the medications, namely calcium-based antacids, topiramate, and zonisamide, used for seizures and migraines, are more likely to develop KSD.

Unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle are a bigger risk

Medical advancements offer effective treatments for KSD in children, prioritizing prevention and accurate diagnosis with the usage of appropriate genetic and metabolic work-up, which remains crucial for optimal management. According to? Dr. Raghavendra Kulkarni, Consultant Urologist, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Secunderabad, ¡°An unhealthy lifestyle and diet tend to predispose, for example, drinking too little water, drinking sugary soft drinks or fructose-containing energy drinks, and increased sodium content in junk foods, poor oral dietary calcium intake.¡±

Although the risk factors cannot be reversed, by promoting healthy habits at home, parents can help children avoid kidney stones. To ensure a healthy diet, recommendations are to reduce ultra-processed foods, eat out less, cook meals at home, and minimize the usage of salt.

Dr. Kulkarni highlights, ¡°Another reason is the increasing usage of antibiotics. Antibiotics deplete the oxalate-metabolising bacteria in the gut, resulting in excess absorption of minerals and giving rise to KSD.¡±

The prevalence of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) in children has been steadily rising in the last two decades. A growing number of children are developing kidney stones, a painful and potentially debilitating condition. While the exact causes are complex, research suggests that diet plays a significant role.

Kidney stones in children have increased by 40 per cent over the past two decades, with the greatest rise seen in adolescents.

This trend is alarming, as kidney stones can lead to recurrent pain, urinary tract infections, and even kidney damage.

Commonly reported causes for this rise in the prevalence of nephrolithiasis include:

• Obesity
• Increased intake of fructose-containing energy drinks,
• Increased sodium content in junk foods: Excessive sodium consumption increases calcium in the urine, a common component of kidney stones
• Increased intake of animal proteins
• Decrease in water intake: Inadequate hydration concentrates minerals in the urine, increasing the risk of stone formation.
• Poor citrus intake: Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, contain citrate, which can help prevent kidney stone formation.
• Poor oral calcium intake: Oral calcium is essential for bone health. It also combines with excess oxalate in the gut and prevents its precipitation in the kidneys.
• Increasing usage of antibiotics that deplete the oxalate-metabolizing bacteria in the gut.

Prevention Strategies

To reduce the risk of kidney stones, children should:

• Drink plenty of water: Aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water per day.
• Limit sodium intake: Encourage a balanced diet with low sodium content.
• Eat a balanced diet: Focus on whole foods, fruits, and vegetables.
• Limit animal protein: Encourage moderate consumption of animal protein.
• Increase citrus intake: Encourage consumption of citrus fruits and juices.
• A glass of milk a day: this will promote bone health as well as prevent stone formation.

By promoting healthy dietary habits and adequate hydration, parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of kidney stones in children.

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