Kidney disease can affect children in various ways- while some conditions are treatable, some can be life threatening if left unchecked. Acute Kidney Disease (AKI) is a serious condition that develops suddenly, often lasts a short time and may disappear completely once the underlying cause has been treated. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) doesn’t appear with treatment and tends to worsen over time. CKD eventually leads to kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease) and needs to be treated with a kidney transplant or blood-filtering treatments (dialysis) for life.Experts present during a press meet urged parents to look out for early symptoms of kidney ailments in their children, such as sudden weight gain, unexplained anaemia and weakness, fatigue and recurring urinary infection.
The Pediatric Nephrology Division of the Institute of Child Health, Kolkata has undertaken a month-long initiative called ‘Prayas’ on the occasion of the World Kidney Day this year with the aim of spreading awareness about kidney health in children. It kicked off with a renal health screening programe for children of Future Hope School, Kolkata. A team of medical professionals visited the Future Hope School, Kolkata and conducted simple clinical evaluation including measurement of BP and urine analysis to detect earliest signs of kidney problems. Similar screening programe was also conducted for street children residing in Kolkata. Children found to be having abnormalities during this screening procedure will be followed up at ICH Nephrology OPD where basic evaluations and investigations like routine blood and urine tests will be done free of cost. Awareness programes were organised for parents caring for children with kidney diseases and Nursing Officers of ICH Kolkata. An online quiz competition was conducted to create interest about childhood kidney disorders amongst doctors pursuing post graduate course in pediatrics in various medical colleges across West Bengal.
The month-long initiative will culminate in a walk across a small stretch of Kolkata from Don Bosco School till Institute of Child Health on 10th March 2022 consisting of doctors, parents and eminent personalities with colourful banners, slogans and balloons to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health. “At the end of the walk, we will be felicitating some of our fighter children who have been battling kidney diseases for a long time with unwavering zeal. The final day will also see at spreading important messages about kidney health in a popular radio channel all through out the day.” said the one of the doctors of ICH.
