Can Telemedicine Help with Suspected Kidney Stones in Children?

Audience: pediatric

Kidney stones can cause sudden pain in the belly or side and may happen in children too. If you think your child might have a kidney stone, telemedicine can be a helpful first step. A healthcare provider can talk with you and your child through video or phone to learn about symptoms and decide if your child needs urgent care or tests. Telemedicine can guide you on managing mild symptoms at home, such as drinking fluids and pain relief. However, some signs mean your child needs to see a doctor in person quickly, like severe pain, fever, or blood in the urine. Telemedicine cannot perform physical exams or imaging tests needed to confirm kidney stones. It is important to use telemedicine as a way to get advice and triage care, but not to replace emergency or in-person visits when needed.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Severe, unrelenting pain not relieved by medication — seek emergency care immediately.
• Fever above 38°C (100.4°F) with pain — possible infection requiring urgent evaluation.
• Inability to urinate or blood in urine — urgent medical attention needed.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial symptom assessment and history taking.
• Providing advice on symptom management at home.
• Determining urgency and directing to appropriate care.
• Answering questions about kidney stones and prevention.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examination.
• Ordering or interpreting imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scans.
• Providing surgical or procedural treatments.
• Managing severe complications such as infection or obstruction.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that can form inside the kidneys. They may cause pain when they move through the urinary tract. Children can get kidney stones, though it is less common than in adults. Symptoms often include sharp pain in the side or belly, nausea, and sometimes blood in the urine.

How Can Telemedicine Help?

Through a telemedicine visit, a healthcare provider can ask about your child's symptoms, medical history, and any risk factors. They can help decide if your child needs urgent care or if symptoms can be managed at home. Telemedicine is useful for initial advice and guidance, especially when in-person care is not immediately available.

When to Seek In-Person Care

If your child has any of these signs, seek emergency care right away:

These symptoms require physical exams, tests, and possibly hospital treatment.

Limitations of Telemedicine for Kidney Stones

Telemedicine cannot perform physical exams or imaging tests like ultrasounds or X-rays needed to confirm kidney stones. It also cannot provide certain treatments like surgery or procedures to remove stones. If these are needed, your child will be referred to in-person care.

Managing Mild Symptoms at Home

For mild symptoms, your healthcare provider may suggest:

Follow the provider's advice and report any new or worsening symptoms promptly.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Have your child's medical history ready, including any previous kidney problems.
• Note the exact symptoms, when they started, and how severe they are.
• Prepare a list of current medicines your child is taking.
• Ensure a quiet, private space with good internet or phone connection for the visit.
• Have a way to take notes or record advice during the telemedicine session.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider's advice on fluid intake and pain management.
• Monitor your child's symptoms closely for any changes or worsening.
• Schedule any recommended in-person tests or follow-up visits.
• Seek emergency care if red flag symptoms appear.
• Keep a record of all advice and treatments for future reference.

FAQs

Can telemedicine confirm if my child has a kidney stone?

No, telemedicine cannot confirm kidney stones because it cannot perform physical exams or imaging tests like ultrasounds. It can only help assess symptoms and decide if further in-person evaluation is needed.

What should I do if my child has severe pain during a telemedicine visit?

If your child has severe pain that does not improve with home treatment, the healthcare provider will likely advise you to seek emergency care immediately for proper evaluation and treatment.

Can my child pass a kidney stone without surgery?

Many small kidney stones can pass on their own with plenty of fluids and pain management. However, large stones or those causing complications may need medical procedures, which require in-person care.

Is it safe to give my child pain medicine at home?

Yes, but only use pain medicines as recommended by the healthcare provider. Do not give medicines without guidance, and follow dosing instructions carefully.

How can I help prevent kidney stones in my child?

Encourage your child to drink enough water daily, eat a balanced diet, and follow any specific advice from your healthcare provider to reduce the risk of stones.

Sources

1. Kidney Stones in Children — MedlinePlus | U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
2. Kidney Stones — Mayo Clinic.
3. Urinary Tract Infections and Kidney Stones in Children — American Academy of Pediatrics.
4. Telemedicine: What You Need to Know — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This telemedicine guidance is for educational and triage purposes only. It is not a substitute for in-person medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. If your child has severe symptoms or red flags, seek emergency care immediately.