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Health

Protein in the baby's urine

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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A small amount of protein may be present in a child’s urine, which is not considered a pathology.

Depending on the method of examination, the protein level from 30 to 60 milligrams in the daily amount of urine is considered normal. Certain types of protein are quite large in size, so they cannot penetrate the kidney filters. Therefore, the presence of protein in the urine is a sign that the kidney filtration function is impaired.

The kidneys play a rather important role in the functioning of the body. They are designed to capture waste products from the blood, which are then excreted in the urine, as well as to recapture substances necessary for the body.

Some substances, such as red or white blood cells, proteins, due to their rather large size, have difficulty penetrating the glomerular filter of the kidneys.

As a rule, protein in the urine of a child indicates some kind of disease, which allows the disease to be detected at an early stage, so urine analysis is very important for young children.

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Causes of protein in urine in children

Protein can enter the kidneys for various reasons, including diseases, infections that affect both the renal filters and the entire organ. However, it also happens that proteins in the kidneys are diagnosed in a normal state of health. In this case, the protein appears only during periods of activity of the child, usually during the day, and at night during sleep, in a horizontal position, it disappears (orthostatic increase in protein). Usually, protein in the urine does not cause certain symptoms, but with too much protein in the urine, its levels in the blood can drop significantly, which leads to swelling, high blood pressure.

Protein in the urine of a child usually appears due to infection in the urinary organs, which leads to the development of diseases such as hypertension, gouty nephropathy, renal vascular thrombosis, etc. All these diseases impair kidney function. The appearance of protein in the urine itself does not cause serious complications, but the doctor may recommend following a salt-free diet for some time or prescribe a course of treatment with special drugs.

A small level of protein in the urine does not always indicate a pathology. In newborns, the presence of a small amount of protein is considered normal. In infants, protein in the urine may indicate overfeeding, and in small children, the cause of protein in the urine may be excessive consumption of fruit puree and juices. Temporary causes of protein in the urine may be stress, allergic reactions, high temperature, hypothermia, illness, physical activity, burns.

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Symptoms of protein in urine in a child

Usually there are no signs that protein has appeared in the urine. Sometimes the presence of protein can be indicated by a property of urine - it begins to foam. Urine analysis is the only way to determine protein in a child's urine.

Treatment of protein in urine in a child

The functional appearance of protein in the urine of a child as a result of an illness or nervous disorder does not require special treatment and after some time the level of protein in the urine disappears on its own. In some cases, the doctor may recommend drinking special decoctions that help remove fluid from the body (rose hips, lingonberry leaf, etc.), limiting or completely eliminating salt intake, and prescribing a course of special medications.

If the protein in the child's urine exceeds the maximum permissible values, the doctor may refer for a repeat examination, since the increase in protein may be temporary, and non-sterile dishes may also be the cause of an unreliable analysis. Along with a urine test, the doctor may prescribe a number of additional studies that will help diagnose the underlying disease that led to an increase in protein in the urine - a general and biochemical blood test, urine analysis according to Nechiporenko, ultrasound of the kidneys, etc.

Protein in the urine of a child is not an independent disease, it is only a symptom and first of all, it is necessary to determine the reason why the protein level has increased and only then prescribe treatment. With effective treatment of the underlying disease, the protein level in the urine will gradually decrease and over time the indicators will return to normal.

Prevention of protein in urine in a child

Children can have many kidney diseases. The body of children has a hard time coping with kidney dysfunction, so it is better to prevent such conditions in children.

Parents who have kidney problems should pay special attention to the health of their children. In this case, it is necessary to monitor the child's condition (transparency, color of urine, frequency of urination, etc.), regularly conduct medical examinations, and, if necessary, take tests to control protein in the child's urine.

It is also necessary to strengthen the baby's immunity, monitor nutrition (give more fruit, reduce salt intake). Kidney diseases in children usually develop as a result of improper treatment of ARVI or flu, so it is important to complete the treatment to prevent severe complications of the cold. After recovery, it is important to observe the rehabilitation period: if necessary, give a course of vitamins, prevent hypothermia, limit the child's stay in public places.

Children's kidneys react sharply to high temperatures, so during an illness that is accompanied by a rise in temperature, it is necessary to give the child more fluid for normal kidney function and removal of toxins from the body. During this period, it is better to give the baby special decoctions (rose hips, parsley root, etc.).

Incorrect or untimely treatment of the inflammatory process in the bladder can cause kidney disease. It is extremely important to treat cystitis in time, so as not to provoke complications in other internal organs. If a child complains of pain in the lower abdomen or in the genitals, it is necessary to consult a specialist and take the necessary tests.

To prevent kidney disease, it is necessary to monitor the child's diet: do not oversalt dishes, do not use a lot of spices. Also, do not give the child a lot of fatty foods. Kidney failure can occur due to regular consumption of fast food. It is important to give the baby enough liquid (compote, plain water). Carbonated drinks have a negative effect on the functioning of not only the kidneys, but also other organs of the digestive system.

Quite often, small children, carried away by a game, do not go to the toilet for a long time. Stagnant urine has a negative effect on the kidneys, so you need to regularly remind the child to go to the toilet. When walking, the child's feet should always be dry and warm.

Prognosis of protein in urine in a child

The body of young children does not have high adaptive capabilities, especially at certain age periods (up to three years, in adolescence), when the risk of developing kidney disease increases, especially if there is a hereditary predisposition.

If protein in the urine of a child is a functional disorder, the prognosis is favorable. After the cause is eliminated (infection, physical stress, nervous disorder), the protein in the urine disappears. With orthostatic increase in protein (during daytime activity, in an upright position), which most often affects adolescents and which does not require special treatment, the prognosis is also good. In other cases, the prognosis depends on the underlying disease and the severity of the disease.

Anti-inflammatory therapy allows in 95% of cases to completely get rid of the disease within 1 - 1.5 months. Kidney function is fully restored within a year after recovery.

Protein in the urine of a child indicates certain problems with the kidneys, so it is important to establish the cause of the increase in protein in time and begin treatment. In addition, it is necessary to monitor the baby's diet, exclude salty, fatty foods, and fast food from the diet.

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