Why does my child only have one kidney?
There are several reason why your child may only have one kidney:
- 1. He or she may have been born with only one normal kidney. In many cases, this is discovered during a routine scan.
- 2. Your child may have had one kidney removed due to disease or an accident.
Why does my child need regular check ups?
When a child is born with one normal kidney, he or she should have regular check ups with a specialist doctor, to make sure that the kidney is growing normally
What are the risks of only having one kidney?
Life with one kidney should not be significantly different to life with two kidneys. Studies have found that people who have only one normal kidney are no more likely to develop kidney failure.
Will my child be able to participate in sports?
Your child need not restrict his or her activities. However, some doctors believe that children with one kidney should avoid sports, which involve a lot of body contact, like karate.
Will my child need to follow a special diet?
Your child will not have to restrict his or her diet unless the remaining kidney is not completely normal. In this case, the amount of salt and protein your child eats may need to be decreased. Your doctor will tell you if this is necessary. No other special diets are needed.