Recognizing signs of kidney injury in young children

Kidney injury in young children accounts for the highest proportion of urinary tract injuries. Early recognition of signs of kidney injury helps to facilitate treatment and avoid dangerous complications.

Renal trauma in young children has the highest rate of blunt trauma of the urinary system. The kidney is an organ located behind the peritoneum, covered by the arch of the ribs, spine, and back muscles. A kidney injury is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged due to an external traumatic force acting in the opposite direction to the internal force of the kidney (blood and urine). Kidney injury in young children accounts for about 1-5% of trauma cases, more boys than girls.
Causes of kidney injury in young children are mainly traffic accidents (most common), work accidents, daily-life accidents, sports accidents. 75% of kidney injuries in children are mild and occur in a remarkable proportion of kidney abnormalities: ectopic kidney, incomplete renal rotation, kidney aplasia, abnormal pyelonephritis-ureteral junction, tumor renal cell.

Low back pain, pain increases gradually after trauma Abdominal distention, vomiting Blood in urine: Pink or red urine (in severe cases, blood clots in the bladder cause difficulty urinating). This sign is very valuable for the doctor to evaluate and predict the extent of kidney injury, so parents should pay attention to monitor the child's urine. Children with infection have signs of fever, pain in the lower abdomen (if the child is late) due to a hematoma or leaking urine. Appears a stretchy mass in the lumbar region due to the hematoma pushing up. Other injuries such as: Skin tear, bone fracture, bladder rupture.... Shock signs: Shock, blue skin, pale mucous membranes, sweating, rapid pulse, low blood pressure is the most severe manifestation when Children with kidney injury.

Principles of treatment of kidney injury in children include: Stop bleeding, preserve the injured kidney, avoid complications, specifically:
Make the patient lie motionless in bed Insert a urethral catheter - bladder flow to help easily monitor the condition of hematuria Cold compress the kidney area Transfusion, blood transfusion (if necessary) Medicines: Antibiotics, pain relievers, hemostasis, diuretics ... Surgery (depending on the specific level) Treatment Other associated lesions If the treatment is favorable, the patient has a stable pulse, blood pressure, no hematuria, the hematoma is gradually decreasing, no fever, no signs of infection, coordination If stable, you can be discharged from the hospital. Let the patient rest at home, avoid vigorous activities, run and jump for 3 months after the injury.
Within the first 3 months after discharge from the hospital, pediatric patients need to be periodically re-examined every month to be monitored: imaging studies, urinalysis, kidney function, blood pressure... in order to detect late complications of kidney injury.
To prevent kidney injury in children, parents should pay attention to children participating in traffic safely, be cautious in activities and exercise, and avoid violence. If you suspect a kidney injury, you need to see a doctor soon for prompt treatment.

At Vinmec International General Hospital with modern and fully equipped equipment for clinical examination as well as tests and diagnostic techniques for kidney injury in children:
CT scan to assess the extent of damage at what level? Total blood cell analysis Test catheterization technique for the baby During the treatment, the doctor will combine antibiotics, pain relievers, hemostasis or diuretics for the patient. In severe cases, the doctor may recommend surgery. In case of severe injury combined with associated injuries, it is necessary to treat the accompanying injuries.
Renal - Urology Department, Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious address for examination and treatment of kidney-related problems (adults and children). Vinmec has a team of experienced experts, modern technology, outstanding facilities, professional customer service, helping parents feel secure when bringing their children to treatment.