Healthy life even with one kidneyImage Credit source: Getty Images
It is generally believed that every person has two kidneys, but this is not so. According to the World Health Organization, one out of every thousand children worldwide is born with only one kidney, not two. Parents whose children experience this become worried. The question that comes to their mind is whether their child can remain healthy. This question is also natural. Experts have given the answer to this question.
Dr. Shandeep Kumar Sinha, Director, Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurugram, said that a child who is born with one kidney can also lead a normal life. This can happen with regular checkups and some precautions. If you take proper care of the child’s diet and keep getting regular checkups done, then there is no danger. Now many good technologies have come (ultrasound during pregnancy) which can be done even before birth, so that the family can take the doctor’s advice in advance and go towards the right treatment.
This investigation is necessary at the right time
Dr. Sinha says that in such children, it is necessary to test protein in urine and BP every year. Through these tests, signs of stress or initial damage on the kidneys can be detected and treated. But this does not mean that children will always have to live in trouble or caution. He can do sports and other activities like other children.
Children with one kidney usually do not need any special diet. But things which can harm the kidneys should be avoided.
Does not affect the child’s development
Sometimes, being born with one kidney may be part of a larger syndrome that also involves other health problems. But in most of the cases it does not have any adverse effect on the development of the child. It is not that if there is one kidney then the child will be physically weak.