What are the symptoms of hydronephrosis in children

The main symptoms of hydronephrosis in children include abnormal urine volume, abdominal distension, fever and urinary tract infection. Some children may cry and be restless or have difficulty eating. If you suspect your child has hydronephrosis, you should take him to a doctor for professional examination as soon as possible to avoid delaying treatment.

1. Abnormal urination

Children may experience frequent urination, decreased urine volume, or turbid urine, which may be due to urinary tract obstruction caused by hydronephrosis. In severe cases, some children may have blood in their urine, indicating damage to the urinary system. If parents find that their children have abnormal urine volume or changes in urine color, they should take their children to the hospital for a routine urine test in time to rule out the possibility of hydronephrosis.

2. Abdominal abnormalities

Hydronephrosis may cause abdominal distension or increase the sensitivity of the child's abdomen. Parents may feel a hard mass on the side of the child's abdomen. This hard mass is usually an enlarged kidney and needs to be further confirmed by ultrasound examination. If the child's abdomen is abnormal and he or she continues to cry and be restless, it is recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible for a clear diagnosis.

3. Fever and urinary tract infection

Children with hydronephrosis may develop urinary tract infections due to urine reflux, with symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Recurrent urinary tract infections are an important sign of hydronephrosis in children, and parents need to be highly vigilant. If urine testing reveals elevated infection indicators, antibiotics such as cephalosporins can be used for treatment, but they must be used according to the doctor's advice.

4. Growth retardation

Long-term untreated hydronephrosis may affect the child's nutritional absorption and development, manifested as slow weight gain, height failure, etc. If the child has unexplained growth and development delays accompanied by the above symptoms, parents need to consider urinary system or other related functional abnormalities.

Solution:

(1) Mild hydronephrosis: Dynamic observation and daily care can be adopted, such as reducing the risk of urinary tract infection and keeping the child's perineum clean.

(2) Moderate to severe hydronephrosis: Surgical correction may be required, such as pyeloplasty, ureteral reimplantation, or the use of stent drainage.

(3) Infection control: While treating hydronephrosis, use broad-spectrum antibiotics to control urinary tract infections and conduct close follow-up examinations when necessary.

Hydronephrosis may pose a serious threat to health. Parents should pay attention to their children's urination status, abdominal changes and growth, and seek medical attention in time if any abnormalities are found. In particular, after the diagnosis of hydronephrosis is confirmed, the doctor's advice should be followed up on time, and surgery should be performed to improve the urinary system function if necessary to ensure the healthy growth of the child.