Is Swollen Eyes in Children an Early Sign of Kidney Disease?
My child's eyelids have been swollen in the mornings for the past few days. I'm a bit worried—could eyelid swelling in children be a sign of early kidney disease? Should I take him for a medical checkup?
Doctor's answer (1)
In general, eye swelling in children may be related to kidney disease, but not all cases of eye swelling are signs of kidney disease.
The kidneys are vital organs responsible for filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood and maintaining electrolyte balance. In childhood kidney diseases such as nephrotic syndrome and acute glomerulonephritis, kidney function is impaired, leading to loss of protein through urine. This results in decreased plasma osmotic pressure, causing fluid to leak from blood vessels into surrounding tissues, leading to edema in various parts of the body, including the eyes. If parents notice persistent eye swelling in their child, they should seek timely medical evaluation and appropriate tests to rule out or diagnose kidney disease.
However, eye swelling in children can also be caused by eye diseases such as conjunctivitis, styes, or chalazia. These conditions typically cause redness, swelling, pain, or discomfort in the eye, and are often accompanied by localized symptoms such as increased eye discharge or hard lumps within the eyelid. Specific eye treatments are usually required for these conditions.
In daily life, it is recommended that children maintain a healthy lifestyle, including balanced nutrition and appropriate physical activity, which also helps support kidney health.
