Ways to Protect Children's Kidneys

Unhealthy eating and drinking habits can adversely affect the health of children, especially. Underlining that many kidney problems are seen in children, including congenital kidney diseases, Anadolu Medical Center Pediatric Nephrology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Neşe Karaaslan Bıyıklı said, “Some eating and drinking habits in children can invite many kidney diseases. Frequent consumption of ready-made drinks and packaged foods, delaying urination and consuming less water during the day can adversely affect kidney health. A healthy diet is very important for kidney health.

Stating that urinary tract infections, kidney stones and congenital kidney diseases can be seen in all age groups, Anadolu Medical Center Pediatric Nephrology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Neşe Karaaslan Bıyıklı said, “Especially if urinary tract infection is treated late or inadequately, if it recurs and kidney inflammation is created, it can cause very dangerous situations. Inflammation that damages the kidney can lead to hypertension, kidney failure, growth retardation, anemia, albuminuria during pregnancy and pregnancy poisoning in advanced ages. Obesity and diabetes can cause problems such as increased protein in children, impaired kidney function due to hypertension, and kidney stones.

Children with chronic kidney disease should be followed closely.

Reminding that kidney failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter toxins in the blood, and if this condition becomes irreversible and progressively worsened for more than three months, it is defined as chronic kidney disease, Pediatric Nephrology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Neşe Karaaslan Bıyıklı said, “The frequency of this condition, which is seen in children as well as adults, in Turkey is reported as 5 out of 12 children between the ages of 3079-4, according to the Credit-C study. Among the causes of kidney problems in children; We can count congenital kidney diseases (such as vesicoureteral reflux, urinary canal strictures, urinary canal widths, single kidney, attached kidney, bladder diseases), cystic kidney diseases, kidney damage, inflammatory conditions, kidney stones, familial disease history and vascular diseases. .

Emphasizing that children with chronic kidney disease should be followed regularly, Assoc. Dr. Neşe Karaaslan Bıyıklı said, “During these follow-ups, growth developments, blood pressure, urinalysis and urine protein levels, blood tests and kidney functions, mineral balance, anemia, vitamin levels should be evaluated and drug treatments should be applied. Dialysis treatment or kidney transplant treatment is required when kidney functions come to the last stage, the amount of urine decreases to very low levels or there is no urine at all, when nutrition is impaired, and when disorders affecting the heart and other organs occur.

Nutritional choice is important in the first food period

Emphasizing that healthy eating habits begin in infancy, Anadolu Health Center Pediatric Nephrology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Neşe Karaaslan Bıyıklı said, “Parents should take care to offer natural, seasonal foods from the time they introduce children to complementary foods for the first time. Parents should not forget that they set an example for their children with their food preferences. It would be unrealistic to expect the child of a mother who does not eat vegetables or a father who consumes ready-made drinks to like pot dishes," he said. Here is Assoc. Dr. Neşe Karaaslan Bıyıklı's advice to parents to protect children's kidney health:

Keep your children away from processed and salty foods as much as possible. Take care to consume fruits, vegetables and dairy group foods with balanced protein, fat and carbohydrate content, restricted from salt, sugar and processed foods. Do not introduce your children to salt in the first 1 year and sugar in the first 3 years of age.

Winter fruits such as oranges, tangerines, pomegranates, which are low in sugar, and summer foods such as cucumbers and strawberries can be given to children 1-2 servings a day as a snack. Nuts (not roasted), dried fruit, fruit pulp, cheddar cheese, ice cream, tahini-molasses, homemade cakes can also be consumed by paying attention to the portion amount. Products such as chocolate, wafers, and ready-made ice cream can be given in small portions, but not more often than once a week.

Have salads and yoghurt with meals, and encourage the consumption of fruit, raw vegetables, nuts and dried fruit, and milk in between meals. Avoid fast-paced snacks, and don't let your children eat in front of the TV or computer.

Support them to consume enough water during the day. Although it varies according to age, 1-1,5 liters of water should be consumed per day.

Explain that delaying urination is not helpful. It is ideal to go to the toilet an average of 3 times a day, with an interval of 6 hours.

Do not use pain relievers, antipyretics, antibiotics or other drugs / herbal products without consulting a doctor.

Get them to do physical activity at least 3 days a week. You can take family walks and support your children to engage in a sport they love at an early age.