Glomerulonephritis is a disease of the kidney caused by a swelling of the glomeruli or minuscule filtering units of the kidney. The glomeruli get damaged due to the swelling, as a result of which the waste products, surplus salt and water remain and build up in the body itself as these can’t be filtered and passed out effectively and in the needed amounts. Consequent to the above condition, health complications grow. Usually, both the kidneys get affected. A person affected by Glomerulonephritis may also end up in kidney failure.
Any person can get Glomerulonephritis, but children aged between the ages of six and ten and young adults are more at risk. Usually children get this illness a week or two after a throat infection or three to four weeks after a skin infection is detected. Children diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis need to be immediately placed under a specialist doctor for treatment. The sufferer, children or adults, may recover soon but there are chances of a kidney failure too, which requires long-term therapies like dialysis, kidney transplant, etc.
It ought to be remembered that Glomerulonephritis in its mild form usually occurs suddenly. However, when it affects a person in its severe form, the symptoms tend to develop gradually and continue over several years.
Glomerulonephritis in Children Causes
So far, no precise cause of Glomerulonephritis has been established. However, in children, the ailment has been traced to a bacterial infection in the throat, upper respiratory tract or skin. Malaria, Schistosomiasis – a tropical disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – an immune disease and particular kinds of arterial and genetic diseases have also been found to cause this ailment.
Also, persons affected by Hepatitis, Diabetes etc., are likely to develop Chronic Glomerulonephritis. Again, the ailment can also be the result of frequent inhalation of toxins like paints or glues, as these are flushed out of the body chiefly through urination, thus affecting the functioning of the kidneys.
Glomerulonephritis in Children Symptoms
In the initial stage, the symptoms are almost dormant and not quite detectable. Usually the ailment is diagnosed only through a urine test, blood test and a few clinical examinations, after any or several of the following symptoms are noticed in a person affected by Glomerulonephritis for several days: brown and foamy urine with red strings of blood, less urination, sore throat, headaches, weight loss, joint pains, fatigue, breathing problems, nausea, hiccups, itching, high blood pressure and seizures. Rashes may form and the color of the skin may go pale. Sometimes there may be fluid accumulation in the tissues too.
Glomerulonephritis in Children Treatment
As soon as the symptoms surface and start irritating and a doctor is consulted, Glomerulonephritis is diagnosed by him/her through routine urine and blood tests, throat swabs, ultrasound scan of the kidneys or even a biopsy.
Treatment is compulsory and depends on the cause/s and intensity of the ailment along with age and general health condition of the affected person. As there is no permanent cure so far, the treatment aims at the suppression of the complications so that the kidneys may continue functioning without fail.
The consulting physician treating patients affected with Glomerulonephritis may prescribe blood pressure medicines, diuretics for increasing urination, antibiotics, steroids and drugs to keep a control on the immune system. Fluid restrictions, a diet low in protein, salt and potassium, and bedrest are advisable. When the ailment is in its advanced stages, the patient may have to undergo kidney dialysis and transplants too.
Period of Treatment:
When it concerns children, most of them recover fully from Glomerulonephritis within several weeks to months. Adults could take a longer time. Chronic Glomerulonephritis is incurable so far and the treatment must be continued for life.
Advices:
As it is important to keep the kidneys tension-free, the affected person may be urged to follow the advices below –
A protein-restricted diet
A diet low in salt and potassium
Restricted fluid intake
Bedrest
Full course of medication
