Are Kidney Stones Common in Teenagers?

Kidney Stones in Teenagers

Kidney stones, which refer to hard mineral deposits that form inside kidneys, are becoming more prevalent in teenagers even though they were traditionally considered an ailment majorly affecting adults. This article aims to explore if teenagers are indeed at a higher risk of developing kidney stones and the various causes and types of stones seen among this age group.

Types of Kidney Stones

The two most common types of kidney stones seen in teenagers are calcium oxalate stones and struvite stones. Calcium oxalate stones form when the urine contains higher amounts of calcium and oxalate. They constitute approximately 80% of total kidney stones. Struvite stones occur due to urinary tract infections caused by urea-splitting bacteria. These bacteria convert urea to struvite crystals in the kidneys.

Causes of Kidney Stones Among Teenagers

Some of the main reasons for the rising prevalence of stones in teenagers include dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, overweight or obese body mass index, certain medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, and frequent consumption of foods high in oxalates, sodium, and animal protein without sufficient water intake daily leading to highly concentrated urine.

Calcium Oxalate Stones 

Calcium oxalate stones are the most prevalent type seen in teenagers and adults. These stones form when the urine contains higher levels of calcium and oxalate allowing their mutual precipitation. Major causes contributing to their formation include low fluid intake resulting in highly concentrated urine, high dietary intake of oxalate-rich foods like spinach, and rhubarb without sufficient calcium intake, and medical conditions causing calcium malabsorption. Obesity is another emerging risk factor for calcium oxalate stone formation.

Prevention of Kidney Stones in Teenagers 

Some effective kidney stone prevention tips teenagers can adopt to lower their risk of kidney stone formation include adequate hydration by drinking enough water and fluids every day, maintaining a healthy weight by regular exercise and a balanced diet, limiting consumption of high oxalate foods, choosing low oxalate vegetables, having dairy products as a good source of calcium and monitoring salt, animal protein, and supplement intake under medical guidance.

Are Kidney Stones Becoming Prevalent in Teenagers?

According to various recent epidemiological studies, the incidence of kidney stone formation has been steadily rising among teenagers over the past few decades parallel to increasing rates of childhood obesity. 

Although the exact reasons are not fully understood, lifestyle changes including low physical activity levels, increased screen time, frequent consumption of processed foods high in refined carbohydrates and salt coupled with lower water and calcium intakes attributed to the obesity epidemic are considered major contributors towards the higher prevalence seen now compared to past generations.

Also Read: Kidney Stones in Children and Teens: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Conclusion 

Though previously considered a disease of adults, kidney stones are no longer uncommon in teenagers owing to changing dietary patterns and lifestyles. Adopting simple everyday preventive measures particularly adequate hydration through water can go a long way in lowering the rising risk. Seeking medical attention promptly for early diagnosis and management of stones is also important.