Forty-one percent of the children in Sudan are malnourished and underweight, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Mohamed Eisa, a physicist at the Sudan University of Science & Technology, would like to change this statistic, and he believes that particle accelerators can help.
By using the powerful beams of a proton accelerator, Eisa is analyzing the elemental composition of hard human tissues, such as kidney stones, hair and teeth from all regions in Sudan. His plan is to investigate and determine the levels of calcium, phosphate, iron and other elements in the samples and use the information to create a database that records nutritional deficiencies in the country.
“Sudan is a country of civil war for a long time, and this results in many problems, such as poverty and lack of main services like clean water and medical care,” Eisa says. “This is reflected on the lives of citizens in those affected areas, and I would like to have more focus on these problems to help the development and stability of those affected areas.”
Eisa started using accelerators to analyze samples about ten years ago when he was a graduate student at the iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Science and Cape Town University in South Africa. He uses a specialized technique called a nuclear microprobe.
In the accelerator, each sample gets exposed to a low-energy proton beam. The protons cause the sample to emit X-rays with wavelengths specific to a particular element. Eisa collects the information to analyze the composition of each sample and note deficiencies, such as iron.
“There is a deficiency in iron in most of the Sudanese regions due to diet, as stated by the Food and Agriculture Organization,” he says. “Fifty percent of all the children are anemic particularly at the war regions and rural areas.”
By pinpointing the specific regions of the country where children are lacking iron, for example, Eisa hopes the database will give officials the information necessary to provide nutrients to the areas that need them most.
“The results show a marked difference between the regions due to differences in food availability, climate as well as regional food habits in Sudan,” he says.
Eisa hopes to complete the study in 2012.
The following organizations have supported his work: iThemba LABS and the iThemba Collaboration in South Africa, Sudan University of Science and Technology, and the Third World Academy of Science – United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization.
2011年9月8日星期四
Lakeview offers fall health classes
Lakeview Hospital will offer several fall health classes on topics that range from from finding your way through cancer, dealing with kidney stones to understanding and deal with back pain.
Stillwater Medical Group urologist Dr. Tom Stormont and dietician Mary Miller discuss kidney stone prevention and how some stones can be treated locally with minimally invasive methods at Kidney Stone School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Lakeview Hospital.
Because kidney stones can be a recurring and lifelong problem, a comprehensive approach is best to treat stone "attacks" and prevent recurrence.
Back pain hurts - physically, mentally, emotionally and sometimes even financially. From simple sprains and strains to more serious problems such as a herniated disc, St. Croix Orthopaedics' Dr. Bruce Bartie will discuss different types of back pain and the latest treatment option at the "Oh, My Aching Back" free class from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Lakeview Hospital.
"Finding Your Way through Cancer" is a four-week series for persons and their families dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Julie Edstrom leads the group, which meets from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on four consecutive Thursday nights Starting Sept. 22 at Lakeview Hospital.
The information is helpful to anyone experiencing the illness or a family member or loved one caring for someone facing cancer. Each week addresses an issue that most people confront at one time or another during their journey through cancer, including the new normal and making decisions.
Stillwater Medical Group urologist Dr. Tom Stormont and dietician Mary Miller discuss kidney stone prevention and how some stones can be treated locally with minimally invasive methods at Kidney Stone School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Lakeview Hospital.
Because kidney stones can be a recurring and lifelong problem, a comprehensive approach is best to treat stone "attacks" and prevent recurrence.
Back pain hurts - physically, mentally, emotionally and sometimes even financially. From simple sprains and strains to more serious problems such as a herniated disc, St. Croix Orthopaedics' Dr. Bruce Bartie will discuss different types of back pain and the latest treatment option at the "Oh, My Aching Back" free class from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Lakeview Hospital.
"Finding Your Way through Cancer" is a four-week series for persons and their families dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Julie Edstrom leads the group, which meets from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on four consecutive Thursday nights Starting Sept. 22 at Lakeview Hospital.
The information is helpful to anyone experiencing the illness or a family member or loved one caring for someone facing cancer. Each week addresses an issue that most people confront at one time or another during their journey through cancer, including the new normal and making decisions.
2011年9月7日星期三
A Regional Leader for Urologic Services
Offering a wide variety of services for patients of all ages, the urology program at Memorial Hospital provides access to tertiary services previously unavailable in the community.
“We offer the full spectrum of urology services in York County, which is a huge advantage for referring physicians and their patients who no longer have to travel out of the community to receive the care they need,” says M. Azeem Bhatti, M.D., FRCSC, urologist at York Urology Specialists.
Memorial Hospital delivers all levels of urologic care, ranging from the basic to the most complex surgeries that may require extensive reconstructive work. Innovative treatment options provided through Memorial Hospital include minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery; percutaneous kidney stone removal; laser surgery using GreenLight XPS laser technology for treatment of enlarged prostate; and holmium laser therapy ureteroscopy for renal calculi.
“Because of these technological advances, we are able to offer our patients an outpatient option that allows them to return to their regular activities within days,” says Dr. Bhatti. “Diagnostic cystoscopies and pediatric diagnostic ultrasound are also available at the office.”
The availability of pediatric diagnostic ultrasound is enhancing convenience for area families. More children with urologic concerns, such as voiding dysfunction, are able to receive care at Memorial Hospital instead of having to travel outside of the area.
At Memorial Hospital, robotic surgery is used to treat a wide variety of urological conditions, including prostate, bladder, kidney and adrenal cancers. Procedures offered using the da Vinci® SiTM HD Surgical System include bladder removal with bowel reconstruction, radical prostatectomy, and radical or partial nephrectomy.
“Urology is one field that has really embraced robotic and laparoscopic surgery,” says Dr. Bhatti. “There have been many changes in the approaches used to treat different types of urologic cancers, and Memorial Hospital is committed to making this technology available to patients in the York area.”
Robotic surgery presents several benefits for both patients and physicians, as patients who undergo robotic surgery generally have shorter recovery times and reduced postoperative pain. The enhanced visualization and instrumentation of the da Vinci® SiTM HD Surgical System also allows for better patient outcomes.
“Recently, I treated a patient with an enlarged prostate utilizing the da Vinci,” says Dr. Bhatti. “This was his second prostate surgery, so it was more difficult due to the presence of scar tissue. After undergoing robotic surgery, he was back to regular activities within a week, and he also had a functional recovery without voiding disruption. In the past, he would have had to go out of the area to receive this advanced care; however, we were able to treat him at Memorial Hospital.”
In addition to robotic surgery, cryoablation is available for prostate cancer treatment, and Dr. Bhatti works closely with radiation oncologists to offer radiation therapy, if necessary.
“We offer the full spectrum of urology services in York County, which is a huge advantage for referring physicians and their patients who no longer have to travel out of the community to receive the care they need,” says M. Azeem Bhatti, M.D., FRCSC, urologist at York Urology Specialists.
Memorial Hospital delivers all levels of urologic care, ranging from the basic to the most complex surgeries that may require extensive reconstructive work. Innovative treatment options provided through Memorial Hospital include minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery; percutaneous kidney stone removal; laser surgery using GreenLight XPS laser technology for treatment of enlarged prostate; and holmium laser therapy ureteroscopy for renal calculi.
“Because of these technological advances, we are able to offer our patients an outpatient option that allows them to return to their regular activities within days,” says Dr. Bhatti. “Diagnostic cystoscopies and pediatric diagnostic ultrasound are also available at the office.”
The availability of pediatric diagnostic ultrasound is enhancing convenience for area families. More children with urologic concerns, such as voiding dysfunction, are able to receive care at Memorial Hospital instead of having to travel outside of the area.
At Memorial Hospital, robotic surgery is used to treat a wide variety of urological conditions, including prostate, bladder, kidney and adrenal cancers. Procedures offered using the da Vinci® SiTM HD Surgical System include bladder removal with bowel reconstruction, radical prostatectomy, and radical or partial nephrectomy.
“Urology is one field that has really embraced robotic and laparoscopic surgery,” says Dr. Bhatti. “There have been many changes in the approaches used to treat different types of urologic cancers, and Memorial Hospital is committed to making this technology available to patients in the York area.”
Robotic surgery presents several benefits for both patients and physicians, as patients who undergo robotic surgery generally have shorter recovery times and reduced postoperative pain. The enhanced visualization and instrumentation of the da Vinci® SiTM HD Surgical System also allows for better patient outcomes.
“Recently, I treated a patient with an enlarged prostate utilizing the da Vinci,” says Dr. Bhatti. “This was his second prostate surgery, so it was more difficult due to the presence of scar tissue. After undergoing robotic surgery, he was back to regular activities within a week, and he also had a functional recovery without voiding disruption. In the past, he would have had to go out of the area to receive this advanced care; however, we were able to treat him at Memorial Hospital.”
In addition to robotic surgery, cryoablation is available for prostate cancer treatment, and Dr. Bhatti works closely with radiation oncologists to offer radiation therapy, if necessary.
2011年9月6日星期二
Kidney stones on rise among women
Smoking, drinking and a poor diet are behind the rise in the number of women needing treatment for kidney stones, an expert has said.
Noor Buchholz, a urology consultant at Barts and the London NHS Trust, said the number of women treated for kidney stones at Barts had doubled in the last few years.
He said: "Five years ago, we treated 400 women a year for kidney stones - in the last year that figure increased dramatically to 800. We've had to expand our services to cope with the number of people requiring treatment and it doesn't show any sign of slowing down."
Mr Buchholz was speaking on the eve of the European Section of Urolithiasis (EULIS)Stone Conference, being held at Barts.
Kidney stones may not always be due to a single cause, although too much meat and salt could be to blame. A sedentary lifestyle and excessive smoking and drinking are also risk factors.
Mr Buchholz said: "There is no doubt in my mind that the increase in poor lifestyle choices including smoking and drinking among women is the key reason we are treating so many more of them. One in eight people in this country will develop kidney stones at some point.
"Traditionally they were seen as a man's disease, but that is no longer the case with women fast catching up with men."
Mr Buchholz said new technology means patients now experience a quicker recovery time when being treated for kidney stones.
Barts and London use a treatment called lithotripsy, which uses shock waves to break up the stones.
Shock wave lithotripsy is the most common way of treating kidney stones that cannot be passed in the urine. Other procedures include treating the kidneystone with laser via a small incision, and passing a tube through the ureter.
Noor Buchholz, a urology consultant at Barts and the London NHS Trust, said the number of women treated for kidney stones at Barts had doubled in the last few years.
He said: "Five years ago, we treated 400 women a year for kidney stones - in the last year that figure increased dramatically to 800. We've had to expand our services to cope with the number of people requiring treatment and it doesn't show any sign of slowing down."
Mr Buchholz was speaking on the eve of the European Section of Urolithiasis (EULIS)
Kidney stones may not always be due to a single cause, although too much meat and salt could be to blame. A sedentary lifestyle and excessive smoking and drinking are also risk factors.
Mr Buchholz said: "There is no doubt in my mind that the increase in poor lifestyle choices including smoking and drinking among women is the key reason we are treating so many more of them. One in eight people in this country will develop kidney stones at some point.
"Traditionally they were seen as a man's disease, but that is no longer the case with women fast catching up with men."
Mr Buchholz said new technology means patients now experience a quicker recovery time when being treated for kidney stones.
Barts and London use a treatment called lithotripsy, which uses shock waves to break up the stones.
Shock wave lithotripsy is the most common way of treating kidney stones that cannot be passed in the urine. Other procedures include treating the kidney
2011年9月5日星期一
Meet your calcium requirement
Remember how your mother ran after you when you were small so that you finish the entire glass of milk and she must have insisted that it is rich in calcium.
Calcium is an important nutrient for bone formation, muscle contraction, neuromuscular transmission and blood clotting. Moreover, it is essential for women
especially when her body is going through changes. During pregnancy, women need
calcium for the development of foetus. While during lactation period, it preserves mother’s bone and supplies proper amount of calcium to the baby.
Furthermore, calcium is more essential for women
during the age of 15 to 25 as it is the time to attain peak bone mass that help protect to avoid osteoporosis later in life.
A must in diet
The best way to obtain the required amount of calcium in everyday life is to consume a diet rich in calcium. Every dairy product provides calcium. Non-dairy food products like salmon, tofu, spinach, turnip, okra, broccoli, almonds, peas and beans are also good source of calcium.
But there are times when a woman needs more calcium than what she gets from food. Elaborating on this Professor Dr Heera Tuladhar, gynaecologist, Kist Medical College Hospital, Lalitpur, said, “During pregnancy and the time of onset of menopause and after menopause women must add calcium supplements to balance the quantity of calcium in body.”
Requirement for mothers
When a woman is pregnant there is
additional need of calcium in body thus she requires extra calcium. During that
period the
growing baby consumes calcium from mother’s bones. Dr Tuladhar elaborated, “Calcium supplied through food is inadequate for a pregnant woman. The baby growing within her also needs calcium to build strong bones and teeth, to develop a healthy heart, nerves and muscles plus to build blood-clotting abilities.”
Calcium supplement maintains the normal amount of calcium — one to two gram per day — in the blood and protects bones from the loss. She added, “A pregnant woman needs 500 gram extra than the regular calcium requirement. The baby will draw calcium from mother’s bones where 99 per cent of calcium is stored and if she doesn’t take the
required amount she is at risk of bone damage later.”
Rich in calcium mother’s milk fulfils baby’s calcium
requirement, but leaves the mother without calcium. “To avoid such situation calcium supplement is vital, as extra calcium intake for the
mother during lactation
period is 500 to 1000 gram per day,” added the doctor.
Few misconceptions Calcium and iron supplements are very important for a pregnant woman from her first trimester till the end of the lactation period. A misconception prevails that if a mother takes calcium supplement when pregnant, baby’s size becomes bigger creating trouble while
delivery. Dr Tuladhar cleared the doubt saying, “Calcium does not make the baby grow extra large. When there is unnecessary amount of calcium in mother’s body, kidney helps extract it out through excretion.”
Another misconception is that calcium intake develops stone in kidney, “but that is not true as long as a person takes doctor’s recommended calcium supplement.”
Menopause and bones Before puberty, both boys and girls gain bone mass consisting calcium in the same ratio. But after puberty men have higher bone mass than women. Furthermore, when the ovaries stop functioning after menopause a woman’s bone structure weakens leading to problem like osteoporosis, which is decreased density of bone or bone mass. According to Dr Tuladhar, this makes the bone vulnerable leading to breaking even after slight trauma like falling or even from coughing or sneezing.
Dr Tuladhar said, “After the age of 35 till menopause most of the women slowly lose bone mass collected in early age. But the rate increases rapidly in post menopause phase because of ovary’s dysfunction.” Talking further on this she said that estrogen produced by ovary helps absorb calcium and when this stops bones become fragile and weak increasing the chances of osteoporosis and fractures. She added, “To prevent fracture and damage in the bone, calcium supplement is essential for woman after certain age.”
Calcium is an important nutrient for bone formation, muscle contraction, neuromuscular transmission and blood clotting. Moreover, it is essential for women
especially when her body is going through changes. During pregnancy, women need
calcium for the development of foetus. While during lactation period, it preserves mother’s bone and supplies proper amount of calcium to the baby.
Furthermore, calcium is more essential for women
during the age of 15 to 25 as it is the time to attain peak bone mass that help protect to avoid osteoporosis later in life.
A must in diet
The best way to obtain the required amount of calcium in everyday life is to consume a diet rich in calcium. Every dairy product provides calcium. Non-dairy food products like salmon, tofu, spinach, turnip, okra, broccoli, almonds, peas and beans are also good source of calcium.
But there are times when a woman needs more calcium than what she gets from food. Elaborating on this Professor Dr Heera Tuladhar, gynaecologist, Kist Medical College Hospital, Lalitpur, said, “During pregnancy and the time of onset of menopause and after menopause women must add calcium supplements to balance the quantity of calcium in body.”
Requirement for mothers
When a woman is pregnant there is
additional need of calcium in body thus she requires extra calcium. During that
period the
growing baby consumes calcium from mother’s bones. Dr Tuladhar elaborated, “Calcium supplied through food is inadequate for a pregnant woman. The baby growing within her also needs calcium to build strong bones and teeth, to develop a healthy heart, nerves and muscles plus to build blood-clotting abilities.”
Calcium supplement maintains the normal amount of calcium — one to two gram per day — in the blood and protects bones from the loss. She added, “A pregnant woman needs 500 gram extra than the regular calcium requirement. The baby will draw calcium from mother’s bones where 99 per cent of calcium is stored and if she doesn’t take the
required amount she is at risk of bone damage later.”
Rich in calcium mother’s milk fulfils baby’s calcium
requirement, but leaves the mother without calcium. “To avoid such situation calcium supplement is vital, as extra calcium intake for the
mother during lactation
period is 500 to 1000 gram per day,” added the doctor.
Few misconceptions Calcium and iron supplements are very important for a pregnant woman from her first trimester till the end of the lactation period. A misconception prevails that if a mother takes calcium supplement when pregnant, baby’s size becomes bigger creating trouble while
delivery. Dr Tuladhar cleared the doubt saying, “Calcium does not make the baby grow extra large. When there is unnecessary amount of calcium in mother’s body, kidney helps extract it out through excretion.”
Another misconception is that calcium intake develops stone in kidney, “but that is not true as long as a person takes doctor’s recommended calcium supplement.”
Menopause and bones Before puberty, both boys and girls gain bone mass consisting calcium in the same ratio. But after puberty men have higher bone mass than women. Furthermore, when the ovaries stop functioning after menopause a woman’s bone structure weakens leading to problem like osteoporosis, which is decreased density of bone or bone mass. According to Dr Tuladhar, this makes the bone vulnerable leading to breaking even after slight trauma like falling or even from coughing or sneezing.
Dr Tuladhar said, “After the age of 35 till menopause most of the women slowly lose bone mass collected in early age. But the rate increases rapidly in post menopause phase because of ovary’s dysfunction.” Talking further on this she said that estrogen produced by ovary helps absorb calcium and when this stops bones become fragile and weak increasing the chances of osteoporosis and fractures. She added, “To prevent fracture and damage in the bone, calcium supplement is essential for woman after certain age.”
2011年9月4日星期日
How to detox your body with fruits
Juicing is one of the most powerful ways to assist and speed up the process by the use of cleansing ingredients and combining it with concentrated nutrition to help the body perform this function better.
Studies have shown that a person has at least 5 to 10 pounds of accumulated toxins in his body. Not to mention the accumulated toxins that are attacking on a daily basis as a result of a polluted environment.
Fortunately, juicing recipes for detox can help us in a big way as far as cleansing and looking and feeling best is concerned. Juicing for detox can repair on the cellular level; thus one can really drop an unhealthy pound of toxins from his body.
In juicing recipes for detox, one must make sure to make use of organic ingredients only. Avoid as much sugar as possible – the goal is to detoxify and sugar and detoxification don’t mix well.
The greener your vegetables the better – wheatgrass is a must in this juicing for detox recipe. Green vegetables are rich in chlorophyll which is a powerful blood cleanser. Chlorophyll is also a great alkaline nutrient. Here are some of the vegetables and fruits that one can use in juicing recipes for detox:
Cucumber
It is water dense therefore it is great for eliminating toxins and it helps dissolve kidney stones and it cleanses and purifies the skin too.
Celery
It is a natural diuretic so make sure when it is juiced, everything is put into the juicer – stick and leaves included.
Lettuce
Lettuce are natural body cleansers and they are dense in nutrients.
Carrot
It stimulates digestion, cleanses the liver and has a high amount of beta carotene.
Cabbage
This vegetable is often used and recommended for weight loss, improves poor skin and helps alleviate constipation.
Beetroot
It is one of the most powerful cleansing foods. It helps cleanse the kidneys and it even has properties to cleanse the blood.
Asparagus
Asparagus cleanses body tissues and reduces blood acidity.
Spinach
It is also rich in chlorophyll and helps rebuild the digestive track; stimulates the liver and gall bladder too.
Watercress
A powerful cleanser of the intestines and neutralizes toxins as well. It also helps stimulate fat burning activity. Watercress is good for the skin as well.
Apples
Apples help control blood pressure, bloodsugar levels and helps eliminate body toxins.
Here is one recipe one could definitely enjoy while detoxifying his body:
One cucumber, one large cup of spinach, one large cup of parsely, one celery stick and half medium lemon (but not including the peels this time) – put everything in a juicer and one would be delighted not only of with the taste but as well as of the hea
Studies have shown that a person has at least 5 to 10 pounds of accumulated toxins in his body. Not to mention the accumulated toxins that are attacking on a daily basis as a result of a polluted environment.
Fortunately, juicing recipes for detox can help us in a big way as far as cleansing and looking and feeling best is concerned. Juicing for detox can repair on the cellular level; thus one can really drop an unhealthy pound of toxins from his body.
In juicing recipes for detox, one must make sure to make use of organic ingredients only. Avoid as much sugar as possible – the goal is to detoxify and sugar and detoxification don’t mix well.
The greener your vegetables the better – wheatgrass is a must in this juicing for detox recipe. Green vegetables are rich in chlorophyll which is a powerful blood cleanser. Chlorophyll is also a great alkaline nutrient. Here are some of the vegetables and fruits that one can use in juicing recipes for detox:
Cucumber
It is water dense therefore it is great for eliminating toxins and it helps dissolve kidney stones and it cleanses and purifies the skin too.
Celery
It is a natural diuretic so make sure when it is juiced, everything is put into the juicer – stick and leaves included.
Lettuce
Lettuce are natural body cleansers and they are dense in nutrients.
Carrot
It stimulates digestion, cleanses the liver and has a high amount of beta carotene.
Cabbage
This vegetable is often used and recommended for weight loss, improves poor skin and helps alleviate constipation.
Beetroot
It is one of the most powerful cleansing foods. It helps cleanse the kidneys and it even has properties to cleanse the blood.
Asparagus
Asparagus cleanses body tissues and reduces blood acidity.
Spinach
It is also rich in chlorophyll and helps rebuild the digestive track; stimulates the liver and gall bladder too.
Watercress
A powerful cleanser of the intestines and neutralizes toxins as well. It also helps stimulate fat burning activity. Watercress is good for the skin as well.
Apples
Apples help control blood pressure, bloodsugar levels and helps eliminate body toxins.
Here is one recipe one could definitely enjoy while detoxifying his body:
One cucumber, one large cup of spinach, one large cup of parsely, one celery stick and half medium lemon (but not including the peels this time) – put everything in a juicer and one would be delighted not only of with the taste but as well as of the hea
2011年9月1日星期四
Obesity not behind kidney stones in kids: study
The finding seems "counterintuitive," say researchers who have noticed an increasing number of both adult and kid patients with kidney stones as obesity levels have been on the rise.
"I think everyone would agree that there's an increasing incidence of stone disease," said Dr. Brian Matlaga, a urologist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore who was not involved in the new study.
Whether overweight and obesity trends are behind that or not, "I think it's something in the modern American diet, a high-sodium diet that may be associated with this increased risk," he told Reuters Health.
Too much calcium in the urine is known to cause kidney stones, as is dehydration -- both conditions influenced by sodium. Studies of adults have found that those who are obese, or who have high blood pressure or diabetes, are at an increased risk of getting stones.
Nationwide numbers are generally lacking, but the rise in kidney stones among kids can be glimpsed in records from individual hospitals, medical practices and databases. One recent study using a pediatrics database as a sample identified 125 kids admitted to hospitals for kidney stone treatment in 1999, compared to 1,389 kids admitted in 2008. Adjusted for other factors, the change represented a 10 percent annual increase in cases.
But it's been unclear if weight is also driving kidney stone rates in kids. To get at that question, researchers led by Dr. Steve Kim from Children's Hospital Los Angeles consulted electronic health records from kids treated at Philadelphia-area doctors' offices.
Between 2002 and 2009, they found 110 cases of kidney stones in kids and adolescents 21 and younger. For each of those cases, the researchers picked out four kids of the same age and treated at the same practice who didn't have a kidney stone.
According to their health records, two percent of kids with kidney stones were overweight, and about four percent were obese. That compared to four percent of the non-kidney-stone group that was overweight, and close to five percent that was obese.
Girls and boys were equally likely to get kidney stones, whereas white kids were more likely than black kids to have a stone, according to the findings published in The Journal of Urology.
Experts suggest that the diet of adults who are overweight and the metabolic changes in the body caused by extra weight affect the contents and chemistry of the urine -- possibly leading to a higher risk of kidney stones.
Because "children are not little adults," weight might affect them differently, Matlaga said. But diet could still be behind the increase in childhood stones, he added.
Kim agreed. "We know that sodium is associated with calcium metabolism in the urine," he said. "Certainly a higher-salt diet would likely contribute to more kidney stones." But, he cautioned, "we don't have any good proof of that yet."
Kids are also getting fewer dairy products in their diet, he said, and that could be related to urine chemistry and kidney stone risk. Or, dehydration may be to blame. "In general, a lot of kids drink less water than they should, or less fluid in general than they should. They don't stay as well-hydrated," he told Reuters Health.
Clearly, Kim said, more studies are needed to nail down what is behind the "dramatic shift" in kidney stone cases that pediatricians have noticed in the past few years.
Once doctors have the answer to that question, they'll be more prepared to counsel kids at risk and their families about kidney stones and other conditions that might go hand in hand with stones, Matlaga added.
"I think everyone would agree that there's an increasing incidence of stone disease," said Dr. Brian Matlaga, a urologist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore who was not involved in the new study.
Whether overweight and obesity trends are behind that or not, "I think it's something in the modern American diet, a high-sodium diet that may be associated with this increased risk," he told Reuters Health.
Too much calcium in the urine is known to cause kidney stones, as is dehydration -- both conditions influenced by sodium. Studies of adults have found that those who are obese, or who have high blood pressure or diabetes, are at an increased risk of getting stones.
Nationwide numbers are generally lacking, but the rise in kidney stones among kids can be glimpsed in records from individual hospitals, medical practices and databases. One recent study using a pediatrics database as a sample identified 125 kids admitted to hospitals for kidney stone treatment in 1999, compared to 1,389 kids admitted in 2008. Adjusted for other factors, the change represented a 10 percent annual increase in cases.
But it's been unclear if weight is also driving kidney stone rates in kids. To get at that question, researchers led by Dr. Steve Kim from Children's Hospital Los Angeles consulted electronic health records from kids treated at Philadelphia-area doctors' offices.
Between 2002 and 2009, they found 110 cases of kidney stones in kids and adolescents 21 and younger. For each of those cases, the researchers picked out four kids of the same age and treated at the same practice who didn't have a kidney stone.
According to their health records, two percent of kids with kidney stones were overweight, and about four percent were obese. That compared to four percent of the non-kidney-stone group that was overweight, and close to five percent that was obese.
Girls and boys were equally likely to get kidney stones, whereas white kids were more likely than black kids to have a stone, according to the findings published in The Journal of Urology.
Experts suggest that the diet of adults who are overweight and the metabolic changes in the body caused by extra weight affect the contents and chemistry of the urine -- possibly leading to a higher risk of kidney stones.
Because "children are not little adults," weight might affect them differently, Matlaga said. But diet could still be behind the increase in childhood stones, he added.
Kim agreed. "We know that sodium is associated with calcium metabolism in the urine," he said. "Certainly a higher-salt diet would likely contribute to more kidney stones." But, he cautioned, "we don't have any good proof of that yet."
Kids are also getting fewer dairy products in their diet, he said, and that could be related to urine chemistry and kidney stone risk. Or, dehydration may be to blame. "In general, a lot of kids drink less water than they should, or less fluid in general than they should. They don't stay as well-hydrated," he told Reuters Health.
Clearly, Kim said, more studies are needed to nail down what is behind the "dramatic shift" in kidney stone cases that pediatricians have noticed in the past few years.
Once doctors have the answer to that question, they'll be more prepared to counsel kids at risk and their families about kidney stones and other conditions that might go hand in hand with stones, Matlaga added.
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