Protein in urine in children

Proteinuria is the medical term used to describe the presence of excess amount of protein in the urine. 

Proteins play a tremendously important role in the body, but they should not show up in the urine, as they are usually too big for the kidneys to even filter. In case the results of a urine lab tests come back showing an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, this can indicate that the kidneys are not filtering waste, or functioning, as well as they should be.

Normally, kidneys are not able to filter proteins because they are too big to pass thorough the glomeruli of the kidneys. So, if proteins appear in urine, it may mean that glomeruli or the kidneys don’t function well.

Children whose lab results show that they have proteinuria may not have any symptoms at all. Patients are commonly asymptomatic in the early stages or if the protein in urine is just slightly higher than normal. However, many patients with excess protein in the urine also have foamy or bubbly urine, and if you notice it or your child reports their pee is foamy or bubbly, you should know this is one of the more common signs of protein in urine.

Edema (or water retention and swelling) is another possible symptom, caused by the loss of high amounts of protein. Children suffering from this problem may experience swelling of different parts of the body, especially the face, hands, abdomen or the feet.

Causes of Proteinuria in Children

Protein in urine can affect both children and adults, although it is normal for children to have tiny amounts of protein in their urine. 

The causes can range from fairly harmless to conditions that require ongoing medical treatment.  

One medical condition which may lead to slightly elevated levels of protein in the urine in children is called “orthostatic proteinuria”. This is a benign condition and children and teenagers suffering from it usually have heightened level of protein in urine during the active part of the day, when they are physically upright, and do not leak protein into the urine during the night, when they are lying down. Doctors don’t know what causes this condition, but it is considered to be completely harmless and it is not a sign of any kidney problem.

Infections of the urinary tract and different diseases of the glomeruli or kidneys are known to lead to high levels of protein in children’s urine. Diabetes may be responsible for a persistently high amount of protein in a child's urine and therefore cause damage to the kidneys. Nephrotic syndromeis also associated with heightened level of protein in urine.

How is Proteinuria in Children Treated?

The first thing the doctor will do is to properly diagnose the problem; proper treatment always requires knowing the cause. Orthostatic proteinuria doesn’t require any treatment, but other conditions must be properly looked into. Sometimes, doctors may need to run some specific tests or kidney biopsy to rule out certain conditions that might have caused protein in urine. Infections of the urinary tract are commonly cured with a course of antibiotic drugs, while the reduction of salt intake may improve present swelling.