Neonatal Infections Can Lead to Kidney Failure

Neonatal Infections Can Lead to Kidney Failure

Head of Urology Ward at Ghaem Hospital said, “Oxalate is a very important compound found in many Iranian dishes. All vegetables with green leaves contain oxalate, but patients suffering this type of kidney stones (nephroliths) are advised not to consume spinach, rhubarb, cabbage, beets and strawberries.”

Interviewed by Webda and explaining how to maintain renal health, Dr. Ahmadnia added, “A number of kidney diseases are congenital and caused by genetic defects, whereas most cases are acquired conditions developed during the patient’s lifetime. One of the reasons of kidney damage and renal disease is backward flow of urine from bladder into kidneys (vesicoureteral reflux) due to congenital problems in children. If accompanied by infection and not appropriately treated, this will damage the kidney and cause renal failure over time. Parents must therefore always take care of their children and infants, and immediately make the necessary examinations if fever is observed (especially in girls).”

Diabetes and high blood pressure directly contribute to renal failure

Dr. Ahmadnia continued, “Diabetes will damage the kidney in the long run and can lead to renal failure. Diabetes has no symptoms, and patients typically visit the physician only when they face its adverse outcomes. People with a diabetic family history should have their blood sugar tested once a year. Uncontrolled blood glucose will eventually leads to dialysis and kidney transplantation. Blood pressure also plays a role in kidney failure in the long term, and thus needs to be controlled.”

Numerous factors contribute to formation of kidney stones

Dr. Ahmadnia said, “Iran is in the kidney stone belt. Nephrolith is a multifactorial problem (i.e. caused by many factors).

Genetics is one of these factors and people may develop renal calculi (stones) on a genetic and hereditary basis: somebody previously had nephroliths and now one of their family members suffers from the same problem. Such stones often appear since early childhood. The necessary follow-up should be performed if calculi are formed in children in order to prevent kidney damage associated with their enlargement in the long term.”

Environmental factors also play a part

Dr. Ahmadnia noted, “The second factor influencing kidney stone formation is the environment. Certain occupations, some foods, and some wrong behaviors may cause nephroliths. Calcium oxalate calculi are the most common type in Iran. Oxalate is a very important compound found in many Iranian foods and in all vegetables with green leaves. But we cannot exclude the very beneficial vegetables from the diet simply because they contain oxalate. Patients with calcium oxalate stones are only recommended to avoid five critical plans including spinach, rhubarb, cabbage, beets, and strawberry.”

He added, “Strong and over-steeped tea also contains oxalate, and these patients can drink freshly brewed and weak tea. Black soft drinks, cocoa, coffee, hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds and walnuts have high amounts of oxalate too, and should not be consumed by patients with oxalate nephroliths.”

Kidney stones are the main cause of kidney damage

Dr. Ahmadnia said, “Kidney stones are one of the most important causes of kidney damage. Many factors contribute to their formation, and if their constituent material is known, we can choose the right diet to prevent their development.”

He finally stressed, “Salt is a very significant contributor to the formation of kidney stones and patients should remove salt from their tables, because excessive amounts of it will cause formation of stones, especially of a calcium oxalate type.”