Can a protein in the urine of a child be normal?

Many parents start to worry greatly if a baby's protein in the urine is detected. What can this result of analysis mean?

At the time of birth, the kidneys are already fully formed organs, therefore the evaluation of any parameters defined in the urine is almost the same as in the adult.

The structure of the nephron and the function of the kidneys

In order to understand the importance of the results of the urinalysis, it is necessary to consider what are the kidneys and what functions they perform in the human body. The main functioning unit of the kidneys is the nephron. It is his job is to remove from the body of unnecessary substances, and the reverse absorption necessary. This is as follows: the blood enters the glomerulus, which is a plexus of small vessels, the main elements of the blood remain in the bed, and the substances dissolved in it remain in the capsule. So the primary urine is formed.

Then in the tubule there is a reverse absorption of substances necessary for the body, and the metabolic products and toxins remain. This is called secondary urine, which is finally taken out of the body.

Proteins are sufficiently large molecules, so if the normal integrity of the structures involved in renal filtration is maintained, they simply can not penetrate the glomerular walls. And this means that an increased protein in a child can be a cause for concern.

Features of urinalysis in a newborn

Protein in the urine of a baby can be present in small amounts. But according to statistics, the greatest number of renal pathology is observed in infants. And accordingly, significant indicators of protein in the urine should always alert the parents and the doctor, as this is a serious disease.

Protein in a newborn in urine should not exceed 60 mg per day. The increase always requires additional research, and if necessary, specialist advice.

High risk factors for health problems are:

• intrauterine developmental disorders;
• a serious pregnancy and childbirth;
• hypoxia;
• is an infectious disease that the mother suffered during gestation.

Diagnosis of the cause of the appearance of protein in the urine of the youngest patients is also complicated by the fact that often the symptomatology is smoothed out, and the pains can be perceived as often occurring during this period of intestinal colic. Therefore, it is very important that the child in time passes all the mandatory preventive studies, which include and urine analysis. Particular attention should be paid to those parents who themselves suffered from pyelonephritis, cystitis, glomerulonephritis, or have kidney stones.

Normal indices in children

The norm of protein in the urine of a child should not exceed 0,033-0,036 g / l. The indicator more than 1 g / l during the day speaks about moderate proteinuria. And over 3 g / l is already high proteinuria.

Adolescents have a phenomenon such as orthostatic proteinuria. In this case, protein compounds are detected only when the child is active during the day. At night, in a dream, it does not appear in the urine. Experts consider this as a variant of the norm. For diagnosis, two urine collections are used - in the morning, and during the day. With age, daytime proteinuria passes.

Protein in urine may be manifested due to some provoking factors that are not pathological. So, for example, this is due to nervous or physical overstrain, hypothermia, or even taking a cold shower. If before the analysis the child lay, and then abruptly sat down, then it can also cause a temporary false positive result. The same happens when the hand is severely squashed during the test. Exfoliating epithelium of the inner layer of the cells of the urinary tract, entering the urine outwards, also increases this index.

Sometimes the relative increase in protein in urine is noted with insufficient fluid intake, vomiting, diarrhea, profuse perspiration. Such data can easily be confirmed by determining the increase in the specific gravity of urine.

Episodic cases of physiological proteinuria are not related to diseases and pass after elimination of the provoking factor.

When is the treatment needed?

The causes of the appearance of protein in the urine of children and adults are almost identical, the only difference is that the child does not develop urolithiasis. These can be diseases related to the following changes:

1. Disturbance of nephron structure and function. At the heart of such changes are systemic diseases, glomerulonephritis, nephropathy.
2. Isolation of albuminous substances by the kidneys themselves. It is observed with pyelonephritis. Often found in children, because they have insufficiently developed valves of the ureters. Imperfection of the capsule of the kidney leads to the fact that there is no pain syndrome with such a disease.

Treatment of

When an increased protein is found in the baby's urine, then regardless of the cause of the occurrence, repeat the analysis and then reveal the etiology of proteinuria. With the timely adoption of measures, you can quickly and effectively stop the process of excretion of the body.

Especially carefully it is necessary to examine newborns, since even minor deviations can lead to fatal consequences at this age. Statistics argue that inflammation associated with the urinary tract, are observed most often until the child reaches a one-year age.

Kidney diseases are treated with medication. When there is edema, a salt-free diet is prescribed and a decrease in fluid intake. In any case, the decision is made only by a doctor whose recommendations should be strictly observed in order to achieve positive results.

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