A thin instrument is passed through the urinary tract to locate and remove or break up stones.
Laser lithotripsy
A laser can be used during certain procedures to fragment stones into smaller pieces.
Shock wave lithotripsy
External shock waves can break certain stones into smaller fragments that may pass through the urinary tract.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
This procedure involves accessing the kidney through a small incision in the back.
It may be considered for larger or complex stones.
The most appropriate treatment depends on the child's condition and the available expertise.
Not every child with multiple stones requires the same procedure.
12. Can Kidney Stones Be Prevented in Children?
Many children with kidney stones can reduce their risk of future stones through appropriate prevention.
However, the strategy depends on the stone composition and underlying cause.
For most children, several general habits are useful.
Drink enough water
Adequate hydration helps dilute urine and reduce the concentration of substances that can form crystals.
Children should have regular opportunities to drink throughout the day.
Reduce excessive salt
Limit frequent consumption of highly salted snacks, instant noodles, processed meats, and packaged convenience foods.
Maintain normal calcium intake
A common mistake is to remove calcium-rich foods from the diet because some kidney stones contain calcium.
This is usually not recommended.
Normal dietary calcium can bind to oxalate in the digestive system, reducing the amount absorbed into the bloodstream and later excreted in urine.
Children need sufficient calcium for normal bone growth.
Any restriction should be recommended by a healthcare professional.
Eat a balanced diet
Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and appropriate sources of protein.
Avoid unnecessary supplements
Do not give high-dose vitamins or minerals without appropriate medical advice.
Follow up with a doctor
Children with previous kidney stones may require repeat urine testing, imaging, and metabolic monitoring.
13. Foods That May Increase Kidney Stone Risk in Susceptible Children
Not every food associated with kidney stones needs to be eliminated.
The effect depends on the type of stone, overall diet, and individual metabolic characteristics.
Nevertheless, some dietary patterns deserve attention.
High-sodium foods
Excessive salt can increase urinary calcium excretion.
Common examples include instant noodles, processed snacks, cured meats, and salty packaged meals.
Excessive animal protein
Very high animal protein intake can influence urinary calcium, citrate, and uric acid levels.
Children still require protein for growth, so the objective is balanced intake rather than unnecessary restriction.
Foods high in oxalate
Certain foods contain substantial oxalate.
Examples include spinach, rhubarb, some nuts, and chocolate.
However, these foods also contain valuable nutrients.
Children should not eliminate them without medical advice.
For people with calcium oxalate stones, combining normal dietary calcium with meals can help reduce intestinal oxalate absorption.
Excessive added sugar
A diet high in added sugar can contribute to poor metabolic health and may be associated with increased kidney stone risk.
Limiting sugary drinks and highly processed snacks is generally sensible.
14. Should Parents Stop Giving Their Children Milk?
One common misconception is that milk causes kidney stones because it contains calcium.
This is an oversimplification.
Calcium is essential for children's growth and skeletal development.
For many children with calcium oxalate stones, adequate dietary calcium is actually important.
When calcium is consumed with meals, it can bind to oxalate in the intestine.
This may reduce the amount of oxalate absorbed into the bloodstream and subsequently excreted in urine.
Removing dairy products without providing alternative calcium sources could create nutritional deficiencies.
However, children with specific metabolic conditions may need individualized dietary guidance.
Parents should never make major changes to a child's calcium intake based only on a social media headline.
A pediatrician or pediatric nephrologist can recommend an appropriate plan based on the child's diagnosis.
15. The Difference Between Kidney Stones and Gallstones
The headline uses the phrase "stones in his abdomen," but it is important to distinguish between different types of stones that can develop inside the body.
Kidney stones
These form in the kidneys and urinary tract.
They may cause flank pain, blood in the urine, urinary symptoms, and obstruction.
Gallstones
These develop in the gallbladder.
They are commonly made from cholesterol or bilirubin-related substances.
Gallstones may cause pain in the upper right abdomen, particularly after meals.
Bladder stones
These form in the urinary bladder and may cause lower abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, or recurrent infections.
Other abdominal calcifications
Certain conditions can produce calcified deposits in other parts of the abdomen.
An image showing small stone-like objects cannot establish which organ they came from.
Medical records, imaging, and laboratory analysis are necessary to determine their origin.
This distinction matters because the causes and treatments differ significantly.