A concerning rise, particularly among adolescent girls, has health experts searching for answers.
Kidney stones, long regarded as a condition affecting “white, middle-aged men,” are now increasingly common in children across the United States. This troubling trend is particularly pronounced among adolescent girls, leaving experts searching for the underlying causes.
A painful problem on the rise
Kidney stones are clusters of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys, often causing sharp pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen. While small stones may pass unnoticed, larger stones can require medical intervention. Though treatable, kidney stones increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 11% of Americans experience kidney stones, with cases rising across all age groups.
For children, the condition can be particularly alarming. Alina Fee, a four-year-old girl from New Jersey, underwent surgery to remove three large kidney stones after they were discovered during a routine examination. Despite the severity, Alina made a full recovery and returned to her beloved ballet classes.
A new epidemic
Dr. Gregory Tasian, a pediatric urologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, has dedicated his career to treating children with kidney stones. “When I was in residency from 2005 to 2011, stones were rare in children. Now, treating children with stones is nearly all I do,” he told The Independent.
Studies reflect this rise. Research published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology documented a significant increase in kidney stones among children between 1997 and 2012, with the highest incidence among 15- to 19-year-olds. Dr. Kate Kraft of the University of Michigan Health System noted a 10% annual increase in pediatric cases over the last decade.
Why adolescent girls are at higher risk
The sharp rise among adolescent girls remains a mystery. Dr. David Sas, a pediatric nephrologist at the Mayo Clinic, suggests two possible explanations:
- Hormonal changes during puberty may increase the risk of stone formation.
- Adolescent girls may have dietary patterns that differ from boys, contributing to the condition.
Sas points to the increasing consumption of high-sodium processed foods as a likely culprit. Sodium and phosphorous, often used as preservatives, can promote stone formation. Additionally, many children do not drink enough water, which is another critical factor in preventing stones.
Lifestyle Factors: Dehydration and diet
Kidney stones form when minerals like calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus concentrate in the urine. Dehydration, excessive salt intake, and low calcium diets exacerbate this risk.
Dr. John Wiener, a pediatric urologist at Duke Health, emphasized the importance of hydration. “If you keep your urine dilute, it’s unlikely that stones will form,” he said. Calcium, too, plays a protective role, though paradoxically, many children are consuming less dairy, a key calcium source.
Climate may also play a role. Hotter temperatures increase dehydration risk, and recent data suggests that regions with higher average temperatures, like parts of California, see more kidney stone cases.
Prevention: Simple but challenging
Preventing kidney stones requires a combination of healthy eating, hydration, and limiting processed foods. Dr. Sas advocates for freshly prepared meals over sodium-laden alternatives.
“The same measures that prevent obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure — like drinking more water and eating fresh foods — can help prevent kidney stones,” Wiener said.
Despite the simplicity of these solutions, implementing them remains a challenge, particularly for children. As Dr. David Goldfarb of NYU Langone remarked, “How do you get people, especially kids, to drink more water?”
Ultimately, combating this rising trend will depend on both public health initiatives and individual efforts to prioritize balanced diets and adequate hydration.
