Yes, kidney disease has a relatively high incidence rate in both adults and children. This is related to the unique physiological structure and functional characteristics of the kidneys. Simply put, the kidneys are the body’s “waste recycling and disposal station,” primarily responsible for excreting metabolic waste in the form of urine while reabsorbing essential nutrients, electrolytes, and other substances to maintain the body’s internal stability. Because a large volume of blood flows through the kidneys every minute, many toxins, drugs, and immune substances produced by the body are more likely to accumulate there, making the kidneys more susceptible to “injury and illness.” Additionally, when the body faces crises such as shock, severe infections, or dehydration, it triggers a stress response that reduces blood supply to the kidneys and digestive system to prioritize vital organs like the heart and brain. This often leads to kidney damage on top of existing conditions.

In recent years, the incidence of kidney disease in children has indeed been increasing, for the following reasons:

Increased Awareness: With the      convenience of accessing medical information online, public awareness of      kidney diseases has grown. Timely visits to nephrology specialists have      led to higher detection rates of kidney conditions.

Advancements in Medical Technology: Particularly      the maturity of genetic testing has enabled earlier diagnosis of      congenital or hereditary kidney diseases.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors: Influences such as environmental pollution, diet, and      lifestyle changes have contributed to high-risk factors like      hyperuricemia, obesity, high blood sugar, and hypertension, which promote      the development and progression of kidney disease.

Many childhood kidney diseases have a subtle onset and can easily be overlooked by parents. Let’s take a look at the clues that may indicate the need for timely consultation with a nephrologist:

① Clues from Urine:

Urine is a mirror reflecting kidney function. If the following conditions occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.

Abnormal Urine Color: Normal urine      in children is pale yellow or yellow and transparent. Although urine color      may change due to certain foods or medications, if the urine appears red,      brown, tea-colored, light green, white, or has white flocculent sediment,      it should be tested.

Unusual Urine Odor: Normal urine      develops an ammonia smell after standing for a while. However, if freshly      passed urine has an ammonia-like odor, a rotten apple smell, a mouse-like      odor, or a sweet smell, it should be tested.

Foamy Urine: If the urine has fine,      dense foam that does not dissipate easily.

Abnormal Urine Volume: Normal urine      volume varies greatly among children and is influenced by fluid intake,      activity level, and environmental factors. However, if the daily urine      volume consistently exceeds 2000 ml, nighttime urine volume is      significantly greater than daytime volume, or the 24-hour urine volume is      less than 0.8 ml per kilogram of body weight per hour, medical attention      should be sought promptly.

② Abnormal Urination Symptoms:

In older children, symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, pain during urination, or abdominal pain may indicate a urinary tract infection. In children under 3 years old, symptoms may include fever, poor appetite, crying during urination, or unusual urine odor.

③ Edema:

Frequent swelling of the upper eyelids, especially noticeable in the morning, accompanied by reduced urine output, strongly suggests kidney issues.

④ Growth and Development Delays, Long-term Loss of Appetite, Nausea, Vomiting, or Weakness:

If a child consistently falls below the 3rd percentile on the growth curve, experiences fatigue, or shows signs of rickets that do not improve with vitamin D supplementation, it’s important not to attribute these symptoms solely to nutritional deficiencies or digestive issues. Some kidney tubular diseases, such as renal tubular acidosis, may present with these exact symptoms.

Of course, even if a child does not exhibit the above abnormalities, it is recommended that parents schedule annual check-ups for their children (including urine tests, urinary tract ultrasounds, and kidney function tests) to detect kidney diseases earlier and initiate treatment promptly.

The Nephrology and Rheumatology Immunology Department of Shanghai Children’s Hospital was established in 1961. It is the earliest pediatric nephrology specialty in Shanghai and one of the first pediatric nephrology departments in China. It was also the first to perform pediatric kidney biopsies and pediatric blood purification treatments in the country.

After decades of accumulation and development, the department has achieved a leading position in clinical diagnosis and treatment in China. Its current clinical specialties include:

Integrated treatment of refractory kidney diseases in children

Congenital/genetic kidney diseases

Pediatric rheumatic and immunological diseases

Pediatric blood purification therapies (including peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis) and integrated management of chronic kidney diseases

We are committed to providing exceptional clinical expertise and compassionate care to alleviate the suffering and safeguard the health of children with kidney diseases from across the nation. Whether in the past, present, or future, we will always be by your side, walking this journey with you. We are here for you, always!