Cloudy urine in children, given their tender age, could be more serious than when the same occurs in adults. This article covers some basic aspects of this condition.
First of all, cloudy urine is not exactly a medical condition in itself, but a symptom or let’s say, an outcome of something else that may be wrong in the body. Urine, to some extent, is known to serve as an important indicator of the state of our health. A light yellow urine often, is an indication of good health, while a dark yellow one may not be a good sign. Likewise, cloudy urine in children or adults, in most cases, is a symptom of a medical condition that demands treatment at the earliest. The rest of the article will deal about the various factors which could be the possible causes for the urine to become cloudy or milky.
Possible Causes
Dehydration
Dehydration can be considered as a mild cause for cloudy urine. Needless to say, it refers to the lack of water and other fluids required by the body to carry out its normal functions. This occurs when the body loses more fluid than it receives. So this causes an increase in the level of waste products, which eventually makes the urine dark and cloudy. This could be more severe in children than adults.
Excess Protein
If urine becomes cloudy and foamy, then it is most likely that it may contain excess protein in it. The kidney filters the blood and transports the waste substances into the urinary bladder to be eliminated. During filtration, the organ retains substances such as proteins, that are essential for living. Due to certain diseases (especially those of the kidneys), a large amount of protein may slip through the filtration process and get into the urine. This condition is referred to as proteinuria.
Urinary Tract Infection
Cloudy urine could also possibly indicate a urinary tract infection. This is more common in women than in men. The infection is caused by bacteria, and most often the bladder and the urethra are affected by it. The cloudy or milky urine caused by a UTI usually has a strong foul odor, and may be accompanied by pain and burning while urinating, hematuria (blood in urine), fever, nausea/vomiting, and frequent urination.
Vitamin Supplements
In some people, overdose of vitamin supplements, such as vitamin C and supplements that belong to the family of B vitamins can also cause the same condition. Such vitamins are water-soluble. And so when they are taken in excess, the body triggers a flushing process that expels them through the kidneys thus, making the urine look cloudy.
Large Meal
Another cause could be associated with a large meal. This is however, something that is completely natural and rarely a cause for concern. After taking a large or heavy meal, especially foods that are high in phosphate, phosphate crystals may begin to build up in the urine. And when these crystals undergo precipitation, they alter the concentration of the urine thus, making it cloudy or milky.
Other Possible Causes:
- Infection of the kidneys
- Jaundice
- Hemolytic anemia
- Kidney stones
So these are the many possible factors that may result in darker urine with a milky appearance in children or in adults. Symptoms that may occur besides the urine becoming milky, may be those of the causal disease. For instance, if UTI is the cause then, as mentioned, pain while urinating, hematuria, could be the additional symptoms. And once the underlying cause is diagnosed and treated, the concentration and color of urine returns to normal.
