HEALTHBANK – Acute kidney failure in children has become a topic that has been widely discussed recently. Quoted from Sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id, as of Monday (October 24, 2022) there were 251 cases of acute kidney failure in children aged 6 months to 18 years in 26 provinces. What are the signs and symptoms of acute kidney failure in children to watch out for?
Although it was detected in early 2022, the spike in acute kidney cases that attacked children under five began to occur in August 2022 and peaked in September 2022. As a preventive measure, know the causes, symptoms and signs of acute kidney failure in the following children.
Causes of Acute Kidney Failure in Children
Chairman of the IDAI Central Management dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, SpA(K) explained that most cases of acute kidney failure in children are congenital kidney disorders. However, several cases of acute kidney failure in children that have occurred recently, are not associated with congenital abnormalities, so the cause is not known for certain.
Although the cause is still being investigated, there are allegations of acute kidney failure in children associated with adenovirus infection, leptospirosis, and the effects of cough and cold medicines containing diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, as is the case in many children in Gambia, Africa.
Symptoms and Signs of Acute Kidney Failure in Children
Here are some of the complaints that many parents convey when bringing their children with acute kidney failure:
1. Vomiting and no appetite
Quoted from the Indonesian Pediatrician Association, children whose kidney function has decreased drastically can experience severe vomiting and no appetite. This is influenced by increased levels of urea in the blood.
2. Pale
Children with acute kidney failure usually look pale. This condition is caused by damage to the kidneys, thereby reducing the production of red blood cells significantly. As a result, the child has severe anemia which is characterized by a pale face.
3. The body is weak and tired
Parents need to be alert if the child often feels weak and his body is often tired, even though the activity is minimal and has enough rest. Patients with acute kidney failure can feel tired, due to the buildup of urea in the blood.
4. Lump in the stomach
Another characteristic of acute kidney failure in children is the appearance of a lump in the abdomen or bladder. This lump is felt when touched.
5. Developmental disorders
Acute kidney failure can cause impaired child development. Children can experience delays in peak growth and development, until late puberty. This is influenced by decreased appetite for children as long as the kidneys are not functioning.
6. Urine does not come out or urinate excessively
Quoted from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, urine does not come out or excessive urination are also characteristics of acute kidney in children. In some cases, the urine is even red.
7. Some parts of the body are swollen
When the kidneys are not functioning optimally, fluid will accumulate in several parts of the body, causing swelling in the face and other parts of the body.
If your child shows the above signs and symptoms of acute kidney failure, take him to the doctor immediately. Doctors can diagnose health problems after conducting a physical examination, checking a history of symptoms of the disease, seeing the results of blood, urine tests, to ultrasound of the kidneys.
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