Description: Proteinuria is the presence of protein in the urine; although it is expected, the condition can be due to a severe underlying renal or systemic disorder.
Article:
Proteinuria is the presence of excess protein in a child’s urine. It is often not severe, but sometimes, it can indicate a more serious kidney problem.
Healthy kidneys allow a minimal amount of protein to pass into the urine from the bloodstream.
Excess protein in the urine may suggest that the child’s kidneys are sick.
Measuring protein in the urine is a way to check the health of the kidneys. However, many children may have temporary proteinuria and do not have kidney disease.
In some cases, when proteinuria coexists with hematuria (blood in urine), it is more likely to indicate renal disease.
Some children might lose a lot of protein, which can cause the body to swell, a condition called pediatric nephrotic syndrome.
If proteinuria indicates kidney disease, consult a doctor specialised in treating kidney diseases.
Signs and Symptoms of Proteinuria (Excess Protein in Urine) in Children
Many children with proteinuria have no specific symptoms. Sometimes, proteinuria in children can go away without treatment.
Few signs and symptoms may occur and indicate the progression of kidney disease-
· Difficulty breathing
· High blood pressure
· Fatigue
· Swelling, especially on the face, hands, and feet
· Foamy or bubbly urine
Watch for any of the above signs in the child’s fluids.
Evaluation of Pediatric Proteinuria (Excess Protein in Urine)
Urinalysis: A simple urine test can test how much protein is in the child’s urine.
To check overall health and kidney health (Renal Function Test): The doctor will perform a physical examination and take a blood test to measure creatinine and urea nitrogen levels (waste materials filtered by the kidneys). Excess amounts of these levels may indicate poor kidney function.
Ultrasound of the kidneys: In some cases, the doctor may recommend an ultrasound to detect structural damage or abnormalities. The test is painless and noninvasive.
Kidney biopsy: In rare cases, the child may need a kidney biopsy. A part of kidney tissue will be examined to diagnose the condition causing protein in the urine.
What Causes and Risk Factors of Pediatric Proteinuria (Excess Protein in Urine)?
The two most common risk factors for proteinuria are-
- Diabetes
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
Other risk factors include:
- Family history of kidney disease
- Obesity
Proteinuria is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease and, if left untreated, can result in severe kidney disorders.
What Are the Treatment Options for Proteinuria (Excess Protein in Urine) in Children?
If the doctor diagnosed proteinuria, they would decide on the best treatment plan for the child.
In some cases, the child does not need any treatment. They include-
- Orthostatic proteinuria- In this case, the kidneys leak a small amount of protein during the day, especially while standing or after exercise
- Mild proteinuria- In this case, the excess protein goes away after the first urine test. This may happen when the child has a fever or a urinary tract infection
In some cases, the child may need treatment or to be monitored. They include-
- Persistent proteinuria- excess protein in the urine that does not go away
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Kidney damage (if suspected)
The treatment is targeted to reduce protein loss in the urine with medications and control blood pressure.
The doctor often uses medications to treat children with kidney diseases causing proteinuria. Changing the protein in the child’s diet is not recommended.
