Fresh Bread And Packaging Foods Can Trigger Kidney Disorders In Children

JAKARTA - Maintaining a child's diet from an early age is an important step to prevent kidney problems that can lead to serious future problems. One of the main concerns is limiting consumption of packaged foods that contain additive substances, especially salt-based preservatives (natrium).

According to DR. Dr. Eka Laksmi Hidayati, Sp.A, Subsp. Nefro(K), Head of the Nefrology Coordination Unit of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), preservatives in processed foods often contain high levels of sodium (NaCl), which can trigger early metabolic disorders such as high blood pressure.

"Food preservedrs are generally salt-based. For example, fresh bread that looks simple, but the sodium content can be very high," he said during an interview in Jakarta, as quoted by ANTARA.

Increasing persistent levels of sodium in the child's body can cause hypertension, which if not treated, has the potential to slowly damage kidney function. Usually, this impact begins to be seen when the child is a teenager, especially if accompanied by other conditions such as overweight or diabetes.

Eka emphasized that preventive measures are very important, especially for children who already have risks such as kidney disorders since birth. In cases like this, preventing disease from reaching a chronic stage is very crucial to maintain quality of life.

"The main goal is to prevent it from reaching stage five or conditions that require dialysis. Children can still grow, go to school, and become independent adults," he explained.

If kidney disorders have entered the chronic phase, then long-term treatment will be unavoidable. Even so, Eka emphasized the importance of discipline in undergoing treatment, because proper medical therapy can slow down kidney function worsening and prevent further complications.

"The drugs given are not only for symptoms, but to prevent conditions such as hypertension and obesity so as not to worsen kidney damage," he said.

In the case of acute kidney failure that occurred suddenly, the chances of recovery are still wide open, as long as it is handled in less than three months. However, if it lasts longer, then this condition can transition to chronic kidney failure which requires life-long treatment.

Rapid and precise interventions are urgently needed, including the management of liquid intake, control of comorbidities such as high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as overall improvement of kidney function.