March is National Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month, and March 10th is World Kidney Day.

It might seem strange to be talking about kids and kidneys, but even caregivers of young children need to be informed about this issue. 

What do Kidneys Do?

The kidneys consist of millions of filtering units called nephrons whose function is to clean the blood, maintain a balance of salt and water, and help regulate blood pressure and red blood cells. The extra fluid and waste extracted by the kidneys are passed along to the bladder and released out of the body as urine.

Kidney Disorders in Children

Kidney issues in children can be reversible without long-term effects, severe chronic disease, or even kidney failure. Some causes of kidney disease include congenital disabilities, hereditary diseases, infection, systemic diseases (i.e., diabetes, high blood pressure), and trauma.

What Can Parents Do?

You have likely heard the saying that prevention is better than cure. Well, that holds for the kidneys as well. A key preventive measure is maintaining a healthy weight, starting with a wholesome diet and an active lifestyle (exercise). In addition, if you think your child may be at risk for kidney disease, please discuss this concern with your child’s doctor. We can start with some preliminary testing to evaluate how well the kidneys are functioning and then refer you to a pediatric nephrologist (specialist kidney doctors) as appropriate.

So, this March, let us begin the journey to healthy living and healthy kidneys!