CHOP: Increased Number Of Teen Girls Developing Kidney Stones
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- People will tell you having kidney stones can be as painful as child-birth, and while common, they've usually been a problem for older men. New research from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia finds a new and surprising group of patients.
Sixteen-year-old Victoria Tappan has been living in misery, from recurring kidney stones. She's had five surgeries, and often depends on narcotics.
"It is just a really horrible pain," Victoria said. "It's a lot more of a sharp pain in my stomach area, than it is my back. All I can do is lay in bed. I don't go to school, I don't see my friends."
Victoria is part of a growing trend, female teenagers developing kidney stones.
"I was like, isn't that an old man's thing?" Victoria asked. "That's not a thing for teenage girls."
It used to be mostly a problem for middle-aged white men, but new research from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia shows adolescent girls, especially African-American, have experienced a two to five percent increase in kidney stones.
"It's the youngest patients that are experiencing the greatest growth in stones," said Dr. Gregory Tasian, the urologist who conducted the study.
Dr. Tasian says genetics, dehydration, and consuming a lot of salt, increases the risk of getting kidney stones. However, it's not known what's causing the spike among teenagers.
"It really highlights the need for future trials, future research," Dr. Tasian said.
Due to a lack of awareness, Victoria previously had trouble being accurately diagnosed and treated. She and her mom, who's also had kidney stones, just recently moved to Chester County. They are relieved she's being treated at CHOP, which is leading the way in new research on the issue.
"I'm just thankful that more people will be aware," said Victoria's mom, Tami. "They're not going to look at her and think, 'Oh, I've never heard of any teenage girl having kidney stones'."
Instead of CT scans to diagnose kidney stones in teens, which can expose them to radiation, CHOP uses ultrasounds first. There are also a variety of surgical treatments, in addition to shock wave therapy. Diet can help prevent them, including consuming a lot of lemon juice. For more information, go to www.chop.edu/centers-programs/pediatric-kidney-stone-center.
