World Kidney Day (WKD) is observed every year on the second Thursday in March. This year the day will be observed on 10^th March. This day is a mutual initiative of International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the role played by kidneys in maintaining overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

This year the theme of the event is Kidney Disease & Children: Act Early to Prevent It .It is very essential to prevent kidney damage in children.  It is important taking early initiative to treat children with inborn and acquired disorders of the kidney.

Kidney disease in children can be acute or chronic. Acute kidney disease develops suddenly, either it may be short lived and may improve completely after treatment or it may linger on and become chronic and serious. Chronic kidney disease cannot be treated easily and gets worse eventually.

Some of the causes of kidney diseases in children:

• Birth defects
• Trauma
• Urine blockage
• Infection
• Genetic
• Systemic diseases

The following can be the signs and symptoms of kidney diseases:

• Fever
• Burning or pain during urination
• Increase in the frequency of urination
• Blood in Urine
• Bedwetting
• Swelling around the eyes, face, feet, and ankles (called oedema)
• Bloody diarrhoea
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain

The treatment of kidney disease totally depends upon the cause of the illness. Children suffering from chronic kidney disease should be given diet after consulting with child’s health care team because the diet can affect their kidney function. 

References:

http://www.worldkidneyday.org/2016-campaign/2016-wkd-theme/

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/kidney-disease/overview-of-kidney-disease-in-children/Pages/index.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Kidney-infection/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

http://www.medicinenet.com/