Kidney Stones in Teens: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Kidney stones are becoming more common in children and teenagers, but understanding what they are and how to prevent them can make a big difference in long-term kidney health.¹² This guide explains kidney stones in teen-friendly language, from symptoms and tests to treatment and prevention.

What Exactly Is a Kidney Stone?

Your kidneys act like the body’s high-tech filters. They clean the blood, remove extra water and waste, and make urine. Sometimes, minerals and salts in the urine stick together and harden. These small, rock-like clumps are called kidney stones.⁴⁵

Stones can be as tiny as a grain of sand or as large as a small marble. Some stay in the kidney and cause no problems; others move into the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder), where they can cause pain, block urine flow, or trigger infection.¹⁴

Main types of kidney stones

• Calcium oxalate stones 6 the most common type in children and adults.¹⁴
• Calcium phosphate stones 6 form more easily when urine is less acidic (more alkaline).¹⁴
• Struvite stones 6 linked to certain urinary tract infections and can grow quickly.⁴
• Uric acid stones 6 may form when urine is very acidic or with high uric acid levels.⁴
• Cystine stones 6 rare; caused by a genetic condition that makes kidneys leak cystine, an amino acid.⁴

Why Are Kidney Stones Showing Up More in Teens?

Doctors have noticed that kidney stones in children and teens are being diagnosed more often than in the past.¹⁶ Multiple factors likely contribute:

• Dehydration 6 not drinking enough water makes urine concentrated, which helps crystals form.¹⁸
• High-salt diets 6 salty snacks, fast food, and processed meals increase sodium, which can pull more calcium into urine, raising stone risk.¹⁶
• Low fruit and vegetable intake 6 fewer plant foods mean less potassium and citrate, which normally help protect against stones.⁶
• More sugary drinks 6 many soft drinks and energy drinks are linked to higher stone risk, especially when they replace water.⁴⁵
• Less physical activity or long periods of immobility 6 not moving enough can cause extra calcium release from bones into the bloodstream and then into the urine.²
• Better imaging tests 6 modern ultrasounds and CT scans find stones that might have been missed in the past.⁶

Signs and Symptoms: How Do Kidney Stones Feel?

Kidney stone symptoms can range from mild to extremely painful. Some teens have no symptoms until a stone moves; others feel pain suddenly and severely.²⁴

Common warning signs in teens

• Sharp or severe pain in the side, back, lower belly, or groin that may come in waves.²⁴
• Pain or burning when peeing.²³
• Pink, red, or brown urine (blood in the urine, also called hematuria).²⁴
• Needing to pee more often, or feeling an urgent need to go but passing only a small amount.²⁴
• Cloudy or bad-smelling urine.²⁴
• Nausea and vomiting, especially when the pain is strong.²⁴
• Fever and chills, which may signal a urinary tract infection along with a stone.²⁴

Symptoms in younger kids vs. older teens

• Younger children may just say they have a tummy ache, be fussy, or refuse to eat, which can make kidney stones harder to recognize.²⁶
• Older kids and teens are more likely to describe intense pain in the side, back, groin, or lower abdomen, sometimes bad enough to stop normal activities.²⁶

Important: Sudden severe pain in the side or belly, blood in the urine, or pain with fever are reasons to get medical care right away, since these symptoms could mean a stone or another serious problem.²⁸

What Causes Kidney Stones in Teens?

Kidney stones form when certain substances in the urine become too concentrated and begin to crystallize. In many teens, more than one factor is involved.¹²

Key substances that can build up

• Calcium 6 a normal mineral in the body, but too much in the urine can form stones with oxalate or phosphate.¹²
• Oxalate 6 found in some foods (like spinach, nuts, and chocolate); high levels can combine with calcium to form crystals.¹⁵
• Phosphate 6 can join with calcium to create calcium phosphate stones.¹⁴
• Uric acid and cystine 6 less common, but important in specific medical or genetic conditions.⁴

Risk factors for kidney stones in children and teens

• Family history of kidney stones.¹²
• Low fluid intake or frequent dehydration, including from heavy sports without enough water.¹⁶
• Diet high in salt, processed foods, or animal protein.¹⁶
• Certain medical conditions, such as bowel disease, some kidney disorders, or conditions that affect how the body handles minerals.¹⁸
• Long periods without movement (for example, being in a cast or in bed for a long time).²
• Some medicines or supplements that change urine chemistry.¹⁵

How Doctors Diagnose Kidney Stones in Teens

If a teen has symptoms that suggest a stone, a health care professional will start with questions and an exam, then usually order tests to confirm what is happening.²⁷

Common tests

If a stone passes in the urine, it may be collected and sent to a lab to find out what it is made of. This helps doctors choose the best plan to prevent future stones.¹²

Treatment: What Happens If a Teen Has a Kidney Stone?

Treatment depends on the size and location of the stone, how much pain it causes, and whether there is infection or blockage. Many stones in teens can pass on their own with careful monitoring.¹³⁵

Home-based and medical management

• Pain control 6 over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines are used so the teen can stay comfortable while the stone moves.³⁵
• Plenty of fluids 6 drinking water helps flush the urinary tract and may speed stone passage, as long as there is no severe blockage.¹⁵
• Medicines to relax the ureter 6 in some cases, medicines that help relax the muscles of the ureter are prescribed to make it easier for the stone to pass.⁵

When procedures are needed

Large stones, stones that do not move, or stones causing infection or kidney damage may need more active treatment. Common options include:¹⁴⁵

• Shock wave lithotripsy 6 focused sound waves from outside the body break a stone into smaller pieces that can pass more easily.
• Ureteroscopy 6 a thin scope is passed through the urethra and bladder up into the ureter; the stone can then be removed or broken up.
• Percutaneous procedures 6 for very large or complicated stones, surgeons may create a small opening in the back to reach and treat the stone directly.

Hospital care is especially important if the teen has a fever with a stone, cannot keep fluids down, or has pain that is not controlled with medication.³⁷

Can Teens Prevent Kidney Stones?

Many of the habits that keep kidneys healthy also help prevent stones from forming again. After a first stone, doctors often focus on long-term prevention, especially in children and teens who may be at risk for future stones.¹⁵

Hydration: the most important step

• Aim for pale yellow or almost clear urine most of the day, which usually means you are well hydrated.¹⁵
• Water should be the main drink; add slices of lemon or lime if preferred, since natural citrate may help reduce stone risk.⁴⁵
• Extra fluids are especially important during sports, hot weather, or any time you sweat more.

Smart food choices

• Limit salt from fast food, chips, processed meats, canned soups, and packaged snacks.¹⁶
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which supply potassium and other nutrients that protect against stones.⁶
• Do not overdo animal protein (meat, poultry, fish) if a doctor advises cutting back, especially for certain stone types.¹⁵
• Keep normal calcium intake from foods like milk, yogurt, or cheese unless a doctor says otherwise; getting too little calcium can actually increase the risk of some stones.¹⁵

Medical follow-up

• Some teens may need 24-hour urine collections to check how much mineral and water they are excreting.¹²
• Depending on results, doctors may prescribe medication to change urine acidity or lower levels of calcium, uric acid, or other substances that form stones.¹⁵
• Regular checkups and repeat imaging may be recommended for teens with repeated stones or underlying conditions.

Living With a History of Kidney Stones

Having had a kidney stone can be scary, but with good information and support, most teens return quickly to normal school, sports, and social life. Kidney stones can come back, so understanding personal risk and following a prevention plan are important.¹⁵

• Keep a list of your medicines and previous test results.
• Know which symptoms are urgent (such as severe pain, fever, or trouble urinating) and when to seek care fast.
• Work with your family and health care team to set small, realistic goals for drinking fluids and making healthy food choices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can a teen have a kidney stone and not know it?

Yes. Some stones remain in the kidney and cause no symptoms. They may be found by accident during imaging tests done for another reason. Problems usually start when a stone moves into the ureter and blocks urine flow or irritates the urinary tract.¹⁴

Q2: Do kidney stones always mean my kidneys are damaged?

Not necessarily. Many stones pass without causing permanent harm, especially when treated early. However, a stone that blocks urine flow for a long time or is combined with infection can injure the kidney. That is why timely diagnosis and treatment are important.¹⁴⁷

Q3: Are kidney stones more common in boys or girls?

In adults, kidney stones are often more common in males, but studies suggest that the gap is narrowing and that stone rates among girls and young women have increased in recent years.¹⁶ Exact patterns can vary by age and region.

Q4: If I have one kidney stone, will I always get more?

Not everyone who has one stone will have another, but having a stone once does raise the risk of getting another in the future.¹⁵ Following prevention advice about fluids, diet, and medical follow-up can significantly lower that risk.

Q5: Are sports drinks and sodas safe if I’ve had a stone?

Occasional sports drinks or sodas may be fine for many teens, but relying on them instead of water is not ideal for kidney health. Some sugary drinks and colas are linked to a higher risk of stones.⁴⁵ Water should be your main beverage, especially if you have had a stone before.