Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should, therefore excess fluid and waste from blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems (CDC, 2020). CKD refers to all 5 stages of kidney damage: Stage 1 (very mild damage) to Stage 5 (complete kidney failure). These stages are based on how well the kidneys can do their job – to filter waste and extra fluid out of the blood (AKF, n.d.). According to American Kidney Fund, if your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to live.
Depending on the child’s stage of development, here are some key words you can use when explaining chronic kidney disease to children:
• Kidney – A part in your body that is shaped like a bean that helps clean your blood by removing waste and making urine or pee.
• Dialysis – When your blood needs a machine to help it remove water, waste, and germs because your kidneys are not able to do it.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, most people may not have any severe symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. However, people may experience:
• Poor appetite
• Trouble sleeping
• Muscle cramping at night
• Dry, itchy skin
• Need to urinate more often
• Fatigue, less energy
• Swollen feet and ankles
Risk Factors (CDC, 2020)
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Family history of CKD
• Obesity
Chronic Kidney Disease Facts from National Kidney Foundation
• Nearly 37 million people have CKD.
• Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.
• African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Seniors are at increased risk for CKD.
• 40% of people with severely reduced kidney function are not aware of having CKD.
• Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure in the United States, representing about 3 out of 4 new cases.
Resources
- Websites
• https://www.kidney.org/
• https://www.kidneyfund.org/
• https://www.freseniuskidneycare.com/ - Books
• Help, I Need Dialysis! How to Have a Good Future with Kidney Disease by Dori Schatell MS and Dr. John Agar MD
• Resilience by Alonzo Mourning with Dan Wetzel
• Chronically Happy: Joyful Living in Spite of Chronic Illness by Lori Hartwell
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Chronic kidney disease basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html.
Chronic kidney disease (ckd). Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Symptoms, Treatment, Causes & Prevention – American Kidney Fund (AKF). (n.d.). https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/.
Facts about chronic kidney disease. National Kidney Foundation. (2021). https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease.