Top 10 factors which increase kidney stones in US children

Kidney stones once considered as a disease of Middle Ages now plagues growing children in US. Children aged 5-6 years are also being diagnosed with kidney stones and there is alarming rise in spread of this disease. Kidney stones originate as microscopic particles and then get developed into stones. The medical name is nephrolithiasis and factors for this disease are attributed to:

1. Eating habits: Eating processed or junk foods such as canned food, sandwiches, burgers and French fries lead to increased levels of salt resulting in formation of kidney stones at young age.
2. Salt-rich diet: eating too much salt in food leads increase in the amount of calcium and oxalate in urine. Salt need to be excreted through kidneys but when salt gets bind to calcium, it leads to greater concentration of calcium, crystallization of substances and finally stone formation in kidneys.
3. Less water intake: Hydration is very important in leading a healthy life. One should always drink plenty of water and fresh juices to maintain water balance and flushing out of toxic waste products from the body. Drinking plenty of water can prevent kidney stones.
4. Diet low in fiber and vegetable protein: Diet rich in meat, sugar and sodium and low on green vegetable, fiber and roughage increases the risk of renal stone formation.
5. High dose of Vitamin C: Intake of vitamin C in large quantities might lead to high levels of oxalate in urine leading to formation of calcium stones and even a medical condition of hyperoxaluria. It has been observed that sucrose found in sodas also increase chances of developing kidney stones.
6. Use of excessive weight loss-diets: Intake of weight-loss diets (as is the case currently in US) results in ignoring a balanced diet, thus paving greater risk of kidney stone formation. Early teens in US are becoming increasingly cautious in maintaining a slim-trim body as a result there is a sacrifice on the wholesome food.
7. No dairy products in diet: It is necessary to increase intake of dairy products in diet as it has shown tendency of reduced risk of kidney stones, because calcium in dairy products can bind oxalate before getting absorbed by body, thus preventing risk of kidney stones.
8. Any systemic illnesses: Any illness or associated disease such as any urologic disease increases the risk of kidney stones.
9. Metabolic disorder: Inherited metabolic disorders and gastrointestinal problems in children stand greater risk of kidney stone formation.
10. Other diseases: Variety of medical conditions such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, hyperparathyroidism and genetic conditions such as Dent’s disease and Bartter’s syndrome may lead to kidney stone formation.

There could be other reasons too but the aforesaid certainly need attention.