Most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in childhood.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly affects the quality of life and development of children. Detecting the underlying causes is critical to implement prevention and early treatment strategies. In this article, we will explore the most common causes of CKD in children.
Congenital malformations: the main cause of congenital malformations
Congenital malformations of the urinary system represent one of the most common causes of CKD. These anomalies occur during fetal development and include:
- Renal dysplasia: Abnormal development of kidney tissue, resulting in undersized kidneys or reduced function.
- Renal agenesis: Absence of one or both kidneys at birth.
- Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR): The retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters and kidneys, which can cause progressive kidney damage.
Urinary tract obstructions: Such as renal pelvis stenosis or posterior urethral valves, which hinder the normal flow of urine.
Hereditary diseases: the role of genetics
Some kidney diseases have a significant genetic component. These conditions include:
Cystinosis: An inherited metabolic disorder that affects cystine transport in cells, accumulating in the kidneys and other organs.
Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPD): A disease that causes the formation of cysts in the kidneys from an early age, affecting their function.
Alport syndrome: A genetic disorder that affects the basement membranes of the glomeruli, causing progressive renal failure and hearing loss.
Infections: recurrent renal damage
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also contribute to CKD in children and young people, especially when they are not properly diagnosed or treated. The most common include:
UTI associated with VUR: Frequent infections in children with vesicoureteral reflux can lead to chronic kidney damage.
Pyelonephritis: Infection of the kidneys that can cause tissue damage and kidney scarring.
Glomerular diseases: filtration disorders
Disorders affecting the glomeruli, the filtering units in the kidneys, are also an important cause of CKD. Examples include:
Congenital nephrotic syndrome: A disorder in which the kidneys filter too much protein, causing progressive damage.
Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the glomeruli, which can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases or idiopathic conditions.
Other causes: beyond the kidneys
In addition to the primary causes, there are secondary factors that may contribute to the development of CKD in children:
- Metabolic disorders: Such as primary hyperoxaluria, which causes oxalate accumulation and kidney stone formation.
- Nephrotoxic exposure: Prolonged use of certain drugs or toxins that damage the kidneys.
Systemic diseases: such as systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects multiple organs, including the kidneys.
Prevention and early detection
The key to preventing the progression of CKD in children lies in:
Family education: Inform parents about alarm symptoms, such as swelling, changes in urine color or decreased urine volume.
Prenatal control: To detect congenital anomalies through prenatal ultrasounds.
Regular checkups: Periodic evaluations to monitor growth, blood pressure and kidney function.
Adequate treatment: Early management of urinary tract infections and underlying conditions.
Early detection and timely treatment can make a difference in the quality of life of affected patients. If you have concerns about your child's kidney health, consult a specialist for proper diagnosis and management.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly affects the quality of life and development of children. Detecting the underlying causes is critical to implement prevention and early treatment strategies. In this article, we will explore the most common causes of CKD in children.
1. Congenital malformations: the main cause
Congenital malformations of the urinary system represent one of the most common causes of CKD. These anomalies occur during fetal development and include:
- Renal dysplasia: Abnormal development of kidney tissue, resulting in undersized kidneys or reduced function.
- Renal agenesis: Absence of one or both kidneys at birth.
- Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR): The retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters and kidneys, which can cause progressive kidney damage.
- Urinary tract obstructions: Such as renal pelvis stenosis or posterior urethral valves, which hinder the normal flow of urine.
2. Hereditary diseases: the role of genetics
Some kidney diseases have a significant genetic component. These conditions include:
- Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPD): A disease that causes the formation of cysts in the kidneys from an early age, affecting their function.
- Alport syndrome: A genetic disorder that affects the basement membranes of the glomeruli, causing progressive renal failure and hearing loss.
- Cystinosis: An inherited metabolic disorder that affects cystine transport in cells, accumulating in the kidneys and other organs.
3. Infections: recurrent renal damage
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) can also contribute to CKD in children and young people, especially when they are not properly diagnosed or treated. The most common include:
- Pyelonephritis: Infection of the kidneys that can cause tissue damage and kidney scarring.
- UTI associated with VUR: Frequent infections in children with vesicoureteral reflux can lead to chronic kidney damage.
4. Glomerular diseases: filtration disorders.
Disorders affecting the glomeruli, the filtering units in the kidneys, are also an important cause of CKD. Examples include:
- Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the glomeruli, which can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases or idiopathic conditions.
- Congenital nephrotic syndrome: A disorder in which the kidneys filter too much protein, causing progressive damage.
5. Other causes: beyond the kidneys
In addition to the primary causes, there are secondary factors that may contribute to the development of CKD in children:
- Metabolic disorders: Such as primary hyperoxaluria, which causes oxalate accumulation and kidney stone formation.
- Nephrotoxic exposure: Prolonged use of certain drugs or toxins that damage the kidneys.
- Systemic diseases: Such as systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects multiple organs, including the kidneys.
Prevention and early detection
The key to preventing the progression of CKD in children lies in:
- Prenatal control: To detect congenital anomalies through prenatal ultrasounds.
- Regular checkups: Periodic evaluations to monitor growth, blood pressure and kidney function.
- Adequate treatment: Early management of urinary tract infections and underlying conditions.
- Family education: Inform parents about alarm symptoms, such as swelling, changes in urine color or decreased urine volume.
Early detection and timely treatment can make a difference in the quality of life of affected patients. If you have concerns about your child's kidney health, consult a specialist for proper diagnosis and management.
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