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What Could Be Causing My Five Year Old to be Having Kidney Issues?

Posted By Sam (Miami, Fl) on 10/14/2016

My 5 yr old is having an unknown bout with his kidneys. We first noticed swelling of the eye lids and a urinalysis found blood and protein in his urine. His blood pressure is also high and now (for unknown reasons to me at the moment), he has been placed on heart medications. Can someone please say whether this sounds familiar or not! He is only five and we are terrified.

Replied by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 10/14/2016

Dear Sam,

I am sorry to hear your little one is having these sudden (sounds sudden?) health problems.

Has he been sick? Has he possibly been on ibuprofen or tylenol? Even in normal doses, sometimes these OTC medications can cause kidney problems. And I believe kidney problems could affect the heart.

Is he in the hospital? It sounds like you are not being communicated with well by the doctor if you don't know why your child has been placed on heart medications.

Would it be possible to get a second opinion, by someone who will communicate well with you what is going on and why they think this is happening?

I hope you will get answers soon and that your son will be feeling better quickly!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Jim (Frostburg) on 10/15/2016

Hi Sam, Since the docs aren't saying anything I would suspect they are as clueless as you are. They take blood tests which are often as helpful (or unhelpful) as the sensors on your car -- a sensor can detect overheating or an emission problem but typically does not betray the actual causation.

Me, I would suspect your little guy is simply allergic to something in his diet: Wheat gluten, dairy, the nightshades. Take him off these for a week to see if his symptoms disappear; then re-introduce, one at a time.

Replied by Maura (Uk) on 10/16/2016

My daughter suffered for 10 yrs with Nephrotic Syndrome, symptoms are waking up with swollen eyes, then feet, ankles and eventually whole body edema High blood pressure may be present too. The usual treatment is steroids to bring down inflammation in kidneys and stop protein leakage which removes the edema, also blood pressure meds to further protect the kidneys, while edema is present often antibiotics. I have never heard of heart meds being given, what meds have they given you? Are you seeing a nephrologist? Has the swelling come down?

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