Proteins refer to macromolecules, which are synthesized in the cells of our body and are an integral component of the muscular, connective and other tissues of the body. The presence of protein in human urine is a sign of the ongoing pathology in his body. However, in the urine of a child, the protein can be present in small amounts continuously. Normal indices are in the range of 30-60 milligrams of protein in the daily collection of urine, according to other methods of measurement up to 100 milligrams per day.
Most human proteins are very large, because of which they can not pass through the filtration system of the kidneys. Therefore, the appearance of protein in the urine is considered an indisputable sign that the kidney function is impaired, namely, glomerular filtration is impaired.
The appearance of protein in the urine can have a different nature, for example, the cause can be in the presence of an infectious agent, the development of pathology of microscopic filters of the kidneys or the whole organ at once. But sometimes in medicine cases are described when the protein in the urine of children is not accompanied by changes in arterial pressure, the child feels well and so on. This state is commonly called latent orthostatic (cyclic) proteinuria. In other words, the appearance of protein in the child's urine is associated with its activity in the daytime, the vertical position of the body. At night, the protein disappears, is not detected during sleep, when the child is in a horizontal position.
Proteinuria (the presence of protein in the urine) is not accompanied by painful symptoms. However, if a large amount of protein enters the urine, its level in the blood decreases significantly, which causes edema and high blood pressure. Often, the protein in the urine of children is the first sign of any disease and allows you to identify its development or flow at an early stage. Therefore, it is very important for young children to take urine for analysis.
Orthostatic Proteinuria
Orthostatic proteinuria is detected in children of the older age group and adolescents. Synonym is a latent cyclic proteinuria, which is associated with the appearance of protein in the urine during the child's activity. Until now, the reasons for the penetration of protein into the urine during the day have not been established with the apparent absence of any renal pathology and filtration failure. At night, when the children are asleep, their kidneys filter out the protein, not passing it into the urine. To correctly diagnose this condition, a two-stage urinalysis is performed, which consists of analyzing the first morning urine collected immediately after sleep and the second portion of urine collected throughout the day. These samples are stored in different containers. In case the protein is found only in the second portion, the child has orthostatic proteinuria. In the morning portion of urine protein will not be detected. It should be noted that orthostatic proteinuria is an absolutely normal, harmless condition. Therefore, do not limit the child to physical exertion, they do not harm the kidneys, although they can cause a temporary increase in the protein titer in the baby's urine.
Protein in urine in children: when is treatment necessary?
When a protein appears in the urine in small quantities and with orthostatic proteinuria, there is no need to treat the baby. Usually, the doctor prescribes a repeated urine test after a few months. This is necessary to detect changes in the amount of protein in the urine.
In the presence of protein in the urine with repeated tests, the doctor can prescribe additional tests to check the kidney function to establish the cause of proteinuria. Whatever it turns out to be, removing protein from urine is not so simple and in many cases the only effective way is to become a salt-free diet. Eating foods without salt helps to reduce the level of protein in the urine and helps to quickly and easily remove it. In more complex cases, the doctor prescribes medication with medication. Usually the first dose of drugs is large, but gradually it is reduced. Sometimes you have to take drugs in small doses for several months. It is important to follow the doctor's instructions.