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Dark-colored urine in a child
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Normal children's urine is a transparent liquid of yellow color of different shades - from light yellow to amber, depending on the amount of liquid consumed the day before. On a hot day, after active games, physical activity accompanied by increased sweating, or after a night's sleep, urine has a more saturated color. Its color can be very light if the child drank a lot of water. Parents know this very well. Therefore, when a child's urine acquires an unusually dark color, this causes understandable concern.
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Causes dark urine in a baby
A change in the color of a child's urine can occur for quite harmless reasons, for example, from eating a salad with beets or other products containing bright pigments. Such color transformations usually do not cause concern. The child feels well, the parents are usually aware of his diet, and the color is restored fairly quickly.
The color of this physiological fluid can be affected by taking vitamin preparations and medications. An orange or red tint of the excreted urine can be observed from taking antiemetic drugs fluorophenazine, mesoridazine and other drugs of this series, the anti-tuberculosis antibiotic rifampicin, metronidazole, ibuprofen (the active ingredient of the currently fashionable children's antipyretic drug "Nurofen" ), some other drugs and multivitamin-mineral complexes. A brownish tint of urine can be caused by antimalarial drugs and some laxatives. However, drug therapy in a child also does not take place without the participation of parents, so let's consider cases when darkening of children's urine is a sign that cannot be ignored.
Insufficient fluid intake is a fairly innocent and easily remediable cause, but it should not be ignored. It is necessary to ensure that the child drinks enough fluids, especially clean water. Dehydration in infants and young children occurs quite quickly, most often during fever, vomiting or diarrhea caused by a viral infection.
The cause of dirty red urine may be myoglobinuria caused by trauma (burns, compression, carbon monoxide poisoning), not related to trauma - progressive muscular dystrophy or breakdown of muscle tissue due to severe purulent infections.
Other causes of changes in urine color (hepatitis B and C, melanoma, acquired hemolytic anemia, cholelithiasis, urolithiasis, cancerous tumors) are much less common in childhood.
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of darkening of urine depends on the cause that caused this phenomenon - with dehydration, its rich and dark color is provided by a high concentration of urochrome, with liver inflammation, malignant tumor of the pancreas, gallstones - by the presence of excess bilirubin (a pigment formed during the destruction of red blood cells).
With other pathologies, various coloring substances appear in the urine - red blood cells, hemoglobin, myoglobin, melanin, etc.
Epidemiology
Statistics of diseases causing this symptom are varied. The most common cause of dark urine is dehydration due to high temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, physical overexertion, heavy sweating.
Hepatitis A is quite common, and children aged two to 12 are most susceptible to the virus. Infection occurs through the fecal-oral route (dirty hands disease). According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.4 million people worldwide become ill with hepatitis A each year, most often among them children aged three to six. A significant proportion of those infected, as studies show, are ill without any pronounced symptoms, and these cases remain unreported.
Acute glomerulonephritis also develops quite often in children as a complication of streptococcal infection impetigo or tonsillitis (scarlet fever), otitis, tonsillitis. Children aged three to seven years are most susceptible to developing pyelonephritis.
Symptoms
A change in the color of this physiological fluid does not always indicate that the child is unhealthy. Caring parents know well how its color changes depending on the child's diet. Such color changes are not long-term and depend on the amount and color of the food eaten. As soon as the child changes his diet and urinates several times, everything is normal again. The color of the physiological fluid can become richer (dark yellow, sometimes with an orange tint) during the period of taking vitamin preparations, which include B vitamins, retinol, ascorbic acid, drugs, for example, furagin. At the same time, no other changes in the child's condition are observed.
If the child's urine is dark yellow, does not become lighter, but, on the contrary, becomes more and more saturated, these may be the first signs of dehydration (dehydration) of the child's body. This color indicates a high concentration of the pigment urochrome in the urine. This condition occurs quite quickly, especially in small children, in extreme heat, at high temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, can be observed with renal and cardiac internal edema, when the body loses a lot of fluid, not compensating for its intake. It is necessary to pay attention to the number of urinations in the child. With moderate dehydration, the child urinates less than three times a day and the urine has a strong odor. This condition is characterized by a small number of tears, a dry mouth, sunken eyes and decreased activity, the child often asks to drink or eat. Abnormal excitement and irritability may be observed. In infants - a sunken fontanel and a dry diaper. With significant dehydration - breathing and pulse quicken, weakness and drowsiness are observed. If symptoms of dehydration increase, it is necessary to seek medical help as soon as possible. Dark urine and fever in a child are most likely due to dehydration caused by viral and bacterial infections, poisoning, accompanied by frequent vomiting and diarrhea.
Dark urine in a child aged 2, 3, 4, 5 years can be caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus (Botkin's disease). Clinical symptoms of the disease are severe intoxication, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and in most cases, yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes. The disease can be divided into three periods:
- pre-icteric - most often occurs with catarrhal symptoms and high temperature (flu-like), but in combination with dyspeptic symptoms; less often - with severe dyspepsia, especially after eating, pain, bitterness in the mouth (catarrhal symptoms are absent), atypical course - with manifestations of severe fatigue, sleep disorders, apathy or irritability and other asthenovegetative manifestations;
- icteric - the temperature normalizes, respiratory symptoms disappear, but dyspeptic (nausea, vomiting) and asthenovegetative (dizziness, general weakness) symptoms intensify, at first the child's urine becomes dark brown, foaming when shaken, a little later the feces become lighter, becoming grayish-white, the sclera of the eyes and skin turn yellow, and skin itching appears;
- recovery and restoration of normal functioning of the body after an illness.
Botkin's disease can develop rapidly, bypassing the pre-icteric period. In this case, yellowing of the sclera and skin, dark urine and light feces in the child are immediately noticeable. In forms B and C of viral hepatitis, urine and feces also change color, since the disease disrupts the liver. These forms are extremely rare in small children.
In preschool and primary school children, dark and cloudy urine in a child can often be caused by the development of acute glomerulonephritis. The main visually noticeable symptoms of this disease are swelling, a significant decrease in the amount of urine excreted, dark urine with sediment in a child, the color of which resembles rust. In addition, the child complains of headache, pain in the area just below the waist. There may be vomiting, weakness, dizziness. Mild inflammation of the kidneys is usually manifested by the presence of blood and proteins in the urine (rust color and sediment), slight swelling and minor malaise.
In infancy, hepatitis A and glomerulonephritis are practically not encountered.
Many parents are concerned when their child has dark urine in the morning. If the urine color becomes normal during the day, it is transparent and without visible sediment, then there is nothing to worry about. This only means that the child sleeps soundly at night, does not drink, and if the air temperature in the bedroom is above 20℃, then the child also sweats. Therefore, in the morning, the dark yellow color of the excreted physiological fluid indicates a high concentration of urochrome in it.
If dark urine in a child appears in the morning and remains dark throughout the day, you should analyze his diet and possible drug therapy, and carefully examine the child's condition. Pathological causes of the appearance of urine of an unusual dark color are usually not limited to one symptom, but if it does not disappear, you should show the child to a doctor.
Very dark urine in a child (almost black) can be caused by a rare hereditary disease called alkaptonuria (one in 25 thousand people in the world suffers from this pathology). This disease is diagnosed almost immediately in a newborn child by black spots on the diapers.
Urine is colored black in patients with melanoma, but this type of skin cancer is almost never found in children.
Dark brown urine can be observed with hemolytic anemia. Mostly anemic syndromes are hereditary, then they appear at an early age. But there are also acquired ones. This is a group of diseases that lead to the breakdown of red blood cells. The liver cannot cope with the utilization of bilirubin, intoxication occurs. Symptoms include weakness, pale skin and mucous membranes, dizziness and headache, dyspepsia in the form of nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort. The liver and spleen enlarge, the color of urine changes. Heart problems can be observed - increased heart rate, noise, shortness of breath. A relatively common pathology from this group of diseases is hereditary microspherocytosis, which usually appears quite early, however, by school age the disease becomes pronounced. Children are distinguished by pale, yellow skin, they have an enlarged spleen.
Stones and, even more rarely, tumors in the urinary (biliary) organs can also sometimes be found in children. Urine is usually brown with a brownish tint.
A child may have dark orange urine when taking metronidazole, which is prescribed to children in case of giardiasis, sulfanilamide drugs, herbal preparations based on bearberry. Reddish-brown urine is released in case of poisoning with phenols, mercury vapor, copper.
Diarrhea and dark urine in a child indicates an intestinal or enterovirus infection, and dark urine in a child with a high temperature may be a symptom of Botkin's disease or dehydration.
A sharp smell of dark urine is most likely in kidney diseases. In this case, urine is cloudy, with sediment. The smell also intensifies with dehydration. Drinking sweet carbonated drinks can also lead to an unusual smell, as well as drug therapy with certain drugs - in these cases, it will resemble the smell of a drink, vitamins or drugs taken by the child.
There may be many reasons for the appearance of an unusual urine color. We have considered the most probable ones. In any case, it is possible to find out the true reason only by carrying out a series of diagnostic measures. And if the child's condition is alarming, it is necessary to put everything aside and seek medical help.
Who to contact?
Diagnostics dark urine in a baby
The examination should begin with a visit to the local pediatrician, who will examine the child, find out the details of the diet and possible intake of vitamins or drug therapy, and prescribe tests. It will be necessary to take a general urine test and a clinical blood test. Some symptoms may indicate kidney disease, in which case a urine test according to Nechiporenko may be prescribed. If liver pathologies are suspected, a biochemical blood test is prescribed. Bacteriological urine culture will help to identify infection with pathogenic microorganisms, sometimes a blood culture test is prescribed. A test for rotaviruses, coproculture, electrolyte levels and urea concentration in the blood can be performed. If a specific disease is suspected, appropriate tests may be prescribed.
Instrumental diagnostics for complaints of dark urine in a child usually consists of an ultrasound examination of the kidneys, bladder, and liver. Other studies (X-ray, lumbar puncture) and consultations with a nephrologist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, or hematologist may be required.
Differential diagnosis
A differential diagnosis will be carried out based on the data of all necessary studies in order to identify the causes of dehydration, to differentiate hepatitis from hemolysis and mechanical jaundice, the external symptoms of which are the same, mild degrees of glomerulonephritis may present some difficulties in diagnosis.
The data from thorough diagnostic studies will help determine the cause of darkening of urine in a child. And correctly and timely prescribed therapy, dietary nutrition and physical procedures will quickly bring the child's body and the color of his urine back to normal.
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Treatment dark urine in a baby
Providing assistance in case of dehydration consists of restoring the water-electrolyte balance of the child's body. In case of mild and moderate degrees of dehydration, it is necessary to give the child water very often, every three to five minutes, in small sips (it is possible from a clean disposable syringe without a needle).
For a child under two years of age, Regidron, Pedialyte or Regidralyte are suitable, which are designed to restore the normal acid-base balance, upset as a result of the loss of salts during diarrhea and vomiting. These drugs can be bought at any pharmacy. The contents of a sachet of Regidron are diluted in a liter of hot boiled water, cooled and given to the child, after mixing, in small portions (10 ml per kilogram of weight per hour). Use for diarrhea after each bowel movement in small sips, for vomiting - after each attack it is necessary to take another 10 ml per kilogram of the child's weight. When the symptoms decrease, the dosage is reduced to 5 ml per kilogram of the child's weight.
For a child who is two years old or older, you can diversify his or her drinking with non-carbonated favorite drinks and cook clear watery soups.
Rehydration must be carried out even if the child loses the fluid he has taken in during vomiting.
At least four hours after the vomiting has stopped, the child can be offered rice, plain crackers, apples and bananas. The transition to normal nutrition is gradual, at least within 24 hours.
For formula-fed infants, after using Pedialyte, adapted formulas are diluted in a medium concentration over the next 24-48 hours.
If symptoms of significant dehydration appear (crying without tears, drowsiness, a sunken fontanelle in an infant, as well as the appearance of blood in the stool, green vomit, high fever and abdominal pain), it is necessary to call an ambulance and go to the hospital, where he will be given intravenous rehydration and, possibly, prescribed treatment for the detected infection.
When diagnosed with hepatitis A, the child must stay in bed during severe intoxication and follow a diet (usually table No. 5). Hard-to-digest fats, fried foods, smoked and pickled foods, canned foods, marinades, spices, and egg yolks are eliminated from the diet. Preference is given to plant and dairy products.
Bilirubin intoxication is relieved by drinking plenty of fluids and drip infusions of glucose solution, which also helps maintain normal acid-base balance by absorbing salts and citrates. In case of severe vomiting, drip infusions of Hemodez are prescribed, which cleanses the blood serum and detoxifies the body.
Essentiale capsules or intravenous drip infusions are prescribed to prevent fatty liver disease and restore hepatocyte cell membranes, as well as normalize its function. Essentiale phospholipids contained in the drug improve ion exchange in cell membranes, restore phospholipid production and normalize metabolic processes in the liver. Capsules are taken initially two three times a day with food, and when positive therapeutic dynamics are achieved, they switch to a maintenance dosage - one capsule three times a day. Intravenous injections are prescribed individually depending on the severity of the disease. A side effect of taking high dosages is diarrhea.
In order to ensure daily bowel cleansing and inhibit the development of anaerobic microorganisms, lactulose derivatives are usually used (individual dosage).
Cholestatic syndrome is relieved by prescribing antispasmodic drugs, such as No-shpa.
For hepatitis, ascorbic acid and B vitamins are prescribed.
After recovery, medical examinations are carried out for approximately six months.
In acute glomerulonephritis, the child must remain in bed until the symptoms of the active inflammatory process disappear; after about 1.5 months, he or she is allowed to get up little by little, even if traces of blood are detected in the urine under a microscope.
A strict diet with the absolute exclusion of salt is maintained only during the period of edema, and a protein-free diet is maintained during the period of reduced urination (oliguria) and the presence of nitrogen compounds in the urine (azotemia). On the second or third day from the onset of the disease, a sugar-fruit diet is organized.
In the first week, the patient is recommended penicillin drugs, for example, Augmentin - a complex antibiotic with a wide range of bacteriolytic action. The second component of the drug (clavulanic acid) significantly expands the range of application of amoxicillin. Like all drugs in this group, it can cause various allergic reactions and contribute to the development of superinfection. It is available in both tablet and liquid form (syrup, powder for suspension).
Liquid forms are recommended for infants and young children. The dosage is 0.75 ml per dose for a child up to three months of age, older - 1.25 ml up to one year, from one to two - 2.5 ml, from two to seven - 5 ml, from seven to 12 - 10 ml three times a day. In severe cases, the dosage can be doubled.
The volume of single intravenous injections for children aged 3 months to 12 years is calculated for each kilogram of weight at 30 mg. The injection is carried out six to eight times a day. For children under three months of age - twice every 12 hours, then switch to three injections every eight hours, calculating the dose as for older children.
The duration of treatment should not exceed two weeks, then - after re-evaluation of the patient's clinical condition, adjust the dose and continue the course. In case of allergy to penicillin antibiotics, Clarithromycin is prescribed.
The therapeutic complex usually includes hypotensive and diuretic drugs. Children are prescribed Nifedipine for sublingual resorption at a daily dose of 1.0-1.5 mg per kilogram of weight. It is divided into three or four doses and taken until blood pressure is steadily reduced to normal, gradually reducing the dosage until the drug is completely discontinued.
If this drug is ineffective, a blocker of the enzymatic activity of the catalyst for the synthesis of angiotensin II (a hormone produced by the kidneys) - Enalapril - can be prescribed. The drug also has a slight diuretic effect. In addition to the hypotensive effect, unloading the heart muscle, the drug improves respiratory function and blood circulation in the pulmonary circulation and in the renal vessels.
The duration of the hypotensive effect after a single oral dose of the drug is approximately 24 hours. The drug can cause side effects on the skin and vegetative-vascular system, often causing dry cough, very rarely - angioedema.
Teenagers are prescribed medications that directly block the receptors of the renal hormone. The effect is similar to the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. These drugs have very rare side effects and do not cause a dry cough, for example, Losartan.
Diuretics are included in the treatment regimen in cases of significant edema, oliguria, high blood pressure, angiospastic encephalopathy, and symptoms of heart failure. Preference is usually given to loop diuretics, such as Furosemide, which is characterized by its rapid action and works well both in conditions of blood acidification and alkalization. It can be prescribed to patients with impaired renal function, since it does not affect glomerular filtration. It is contraindicated in the terminal phase of renal dysfunction and in the presence of mechanical obstruction to urination. It can cause skin and gastrointestinal side effects, promotes the excretion of potassium and an increase in blood sugar levels. It is initially dosed at a rate of 1–2 mg per kilogram of the child’s body weight. If the effect decreases by the end of the week, the drug is replaced with another.
The therapeutic regimen includes B vitamins, ascorbic acid, retinol, and tocopherol.
Possible chronic inflammation of the tonsils, ear, and paranasal sinuses is treated using appropriate techniques.
Other, less common causes of dark urine in a child are eliminated depending on the identified pathological causes.
Physiotherapy treatment may be contraindicated in diseases that cause darkening of urine. In particular, in acute glomerulonephritis accompanied by severe hematuria. During the recovery period, when there are no longer a large number of erythrocytes in the urine, low-frequency and pulsed magnetic therapy, magnetic laser therapy, light baths, and diathermy in the kidney area may be prescribed.
Physiotherapeutic procedures for acute viral hepatitis can be prescribed to eliminate discomfort in the right hypochondrium: paraffin compresses, short-wave diathermy, galvanization of the liver area. They are used during the recovery period.
Stones in the urinary organs are also a contraindication for most physiotherapy procedures.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine cannot replace the main drug therapy for pathological causes of dark urine in children, but it can expand the therapeutic possibilities of official methods.
In case of dehydration, a drink to restore water-salt balance can be prepared at home. To do this, take half a teaspoon of salt, potassium chloride and baking soda, add four tablespoons of sugar to them. Stir this mixture in a liter of boiled cool water and give the child this solution to drink as often as possible in small sips.
In case of acute viral hepatitis, from the very beginning of the disease, traditional healers recommend drinking a lot - clean still water, rosehip infusion.
Drink a glass of herbal infusion after waking up and at night. It is prepared by mixing birch leaves, barberry and juniper berries, wormwood and yarrow in equal parts by weight. Pour a glass of boiling water over a teaspoon of the herbal mixture and let it brew for half an hour.
Brew two tablespoons of crushed dried corn silk of ripe corn for 3-5 minutes with two glasses of boiling water. Drink one tablespoon every three hours. Duration of treatment is up to 12 months.
You can make an infusion from watermelon seeds. They need to be crushed, 40 g put into a thermos and pour 400 ml of boiling water. Infuse for 12 hours. Take the infusion three times a day, a quarter of a glass.
Waking up in the morning, a patient with hepatitis should take one tablespoon of honey mixed with freshly squeezed apple juice. The same should be done at night.
Herbal treatment of glomerulonephritis is mainly focused on alleviating the clinical course of the disease, enhancing immunity and restoring kidney function during the convalescence period. It can in no way replace the therapy prescribed by a doctor. Traditional medicine recipes can be included in the treatment regimen after consultation with a doctor as an additional remedy.
An infusion of hawthorn berries has a hypotensive and diuretic effect; it is prepared by pouring one tablespoon into 300 ml of boiling water and drinking 1/3 cup before meals.
In order to reduce blood pressure, it is enough to eat just ten chokeberries a day during the season.
For glomerulonephritis, freshly prepared carrot juice (the morning portion of juice is squeezed from 300 g of root vegetables), pumpkin (three times a day, one tablespoon), cucumber (1/2 cup a day) are useful. Juices are drunk before meals.
If the liver or gall bladder is affected by giardia, then half a glass of sauerkraut brine taken three times a day before meals will help cleanse these organs of parasites.
To get rid of kidney stones, it is recommended to drink a decoction of parsley, preferably fresh, but in winter - dried is also possible. For 33 g of parsley, take 800 ml of boiling water, pour it and boil for 10 minutes. This decoction is filtered and drunk during the day, the procedure is repeated only three times.
Carrot juice helps to get rid of stones in the bladder; in the second half of summer, people drink juice squeezed from the roots and leaves of parsley.
In principle, for any rare disease, you can find folk recipes for its treatment. The main thing is not to get carried away and combine treatment with folk remedies and drug therapy prescribed by a doctor.
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Homeopathy
Homeopathy also has a large arsenal of remedies for treating the liver, kidneys, urinary and gall bladders, and problems with these organs most often manifest themselves with such a symptom as a change in the color of urine. Homeopathic remedies are effective in treating children, since they do not yet have many concomitant diseases and a long list of medications taken. In addition, homeopathic dilutions almost always guarantee the absence of side effects.
In case of hematuria, a homeopathic doctor may prescribe Phosphorus, in the initial stages of acute inflammation of the kidneys, Belladonna and Mercurius corrosivus are used. Treatment of viral hepatitis and mechanical jaundice is also effectively carried out with homeopathic preparations. They should be prescribed by a specialist, then the treatment will be of high quality.
Pharmacies offer complex products - compositions of homeopathically diluted substances that allow you to boost your body's immunity, remove toxins and waste, and restore organ function after an illness.
For the treatment and restoration of liver function, Gepar Compositum is recommended - it contains 24 active ingredients, including vitamin B12, enzymes that activate intracellular reactions, substances of mineral and plant origin, as well as histamine in homeopathic dilution. The medicine not only removes toxic substances from the liver, but also increases its own detoxification capacity, activates metabolism, bile flow, binds free radicals and protects hepatocyte membranes from destruction. Eliminates blood stagnation in the vessels of the pelvic organs, improves blood circulation.
It is permissible to inject this drug by any means from the first days of life every three to seven days: infants are dosed at 0.4 ml; at the age of 1-2 full years - 0.6 ml; 3-6 years - 1.1 ml; over the age of six - a whole ampoule of the drug (2.2 ml). The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
Complex homeopathic drops Galium-Heel act at the cellular level. This is one of the main drainage agents for the parenchymatous tissues of the kidneys, liver, and muscles. It is prescribed for detoxification of the body, for dyspeptic phenomena, renal dysfunction, kidney stone disease, as a diuretic, for bleeding, exhaustion, cerebral, cardiovascular, and respiratory pathologies. Contains 15 components. No side effects have been recorded. Contraindicated in case of individual sensitization.
For children aged 0-1 years, the recommended dose is five drops; 2-6 years – eight drops; over six – ten. To relieve acute symptoms, a single dose is taken every quarter or half hour for one or two days. The maximum daily dose is 150-200 drops. The duration of treatment is one or two months.
Echinacea compositum CH is a complex homeopathic medicine containing 24 components.
Indicated for infectious and inflammatory processes of various genesis, including pyelitis, cystitis, glomerulonephritis, decreased immunity and intoxications. Contraindicated for active tuberculosis, blood cancer, HIV infection. Sensitization reactions (skin rashes and hypersalivation) are possible. In rare cases, an increase in body temperature may be observed as a result of immune stimulation, which does not require discontinuing the drug. Not prescribed to infants.
It is permissible to inject this drug by any means from one to three times a week: at the age of 1-2 full years, the dose is 0.6 ml; 3-5 years - 1 ml; 6-12 years - 1.5 ml; over 12 - a whole ampoule (2.2 ml).
In severe cases or to relieve acute conditions, injections can be given daily.
It is also permissible to take the contents of the ampoule orally (it can be diluted in a small amount of water). The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
During the convalescence period, Ubiquinone compositum, a multi-component homeopathic preparation that normalizes metabolic processes, will help to restore the functionality of affected organs faster. It is prescribed for hypoxia, enzyme and vitamin-mineral deficiency, intoxication, exhaustion, and tissue degeneration. The action is based on the activation of immune protection and restoration of the functioning of internal organs due to the components contained in the preparation. Injection of this preparation by any means is allowed from the first days of life no more than three times a week: from birth to two years of age, the contents of the ampoule are divided into six parts or four parts; 2-6 years - from a quarter to half an ampoule; over six years of age - a whole ampoule of the preparation (2.2 ml).
It is also acceptable to take the contents of the ampoule internally (can be diluted in a small amount of water).
Surgical treatment
If a child has dark urine, there are no direct indications for surgical treatment, however, everything depends on the reasons that caused the change in urine color.
The presence of stones in the urinary organs or gall bladder cannot be treated conservatively in most cases. To date, there are no medications that are guaranteed to dissolve calculus deposits or prevent their formation. Therefore, in exceptional cases and in childhood, operations are performed to remove calculus deposits. Modern methods of removing stones from the bladder are less traumatic than traditional abdominal surgery.
Preference is given to remote crushing of stones using a shock wave, as the least traumatic method of removing formations.
Percutaneous suprapubic cystolitholapaxy is the operation of choice in childhood for stones located in the bladder, since it allows for the urethra to be treated without injury.
Acute glomerulonephritis in a child with chronic tonsillitis and the inability to stop hematuria within 1.5 months brings to the agenda the issue of surgical intervention to remove the tonsils.
Complications and consequences
A change in the color of a child's urine can lead to negative consequences only if it is a symptom of a serious illness and not the result of dietary or medicinal factors.
Severe dehydration can be fatal, and the younger the child, the faster this process occurs.
Viral hepatitis A is extremely rarely complicated. The consequences of the disease may include inflammatory processes in the bile ducts, secondary infections, such as pneumonia.
Acute glomerulonephritis in children progresses faster than in adults, usually after a month or a month and a half the condition normalizes, however, severe forms of the disease can be complicated by nephritic encephalopathy, uremia, heart failure, which are life-threatening. Transition to chronic nephritis in childhood is unlikely (no more than 2%).
Hemolytic anemia may be complicated by anemic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, and other acute life-threatening conditions.
The presence of abdominal pain, lower back pain and headaches, high temperature, weakness, lack of appetite, infrequent urination, yellowness and itchy skin when dark urine is detected in a child are a prerequisite for an urgent visit to the doctor.
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Prevention
Pathological causes of dark urine in a child can be prevented by observing and teaching him to observe basic rules of personal hygiene, thus reducing the risk of contracting viral hepatitis and intestinal infections.
Monitor your child's nutrition and ensure that he or she drinks enough fluids, especially in hot weather.
Treat acute and chronic infections promptly and ensure the child has a healthy and active lifestyle.
Forecast
Prompt medical care usually results in dehydration of a child's body, even of a severe degree, passing without consequences.
Viral hepatitis A has a favorable prognosis, and in childhood in most cases ends in complete recovery.
Acute glomerulonephritis with careful and conscientious care in childhood in the overwhelming majority of cases ends in recovery; already six months after the onset of the disease, almost all children have no traces of blood in the urine. However, the probability of a fatal outcome still exists. It is estimated by different specialists from 1% to 5%.
The prognosis for other causes, which are much less common than those listed above, depends on the type of pathology.