DAVAO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – Members of the Philippine Society of Nephorologists (PSN) in Mindanao said kidney trouble in children usually starts with urinary tract infection (UTI) as they called for screening like urinalysis.

Dr. Gemma Tiu, pediatric/nephrologist, said kidney trouble among children is usually inborn and to avoid the disorders, one should undergo urinalysis once a year and once a month for those who have the infection.

She said renal failure is deadly but preventable. However, she said with current lifestyles, children and youth are prone to kidney trouble.

On the other hand, PSN Mindanao chapter secretary Dr. Franklin Guillano said renal or kidney failure is still among the top 10 causes of morbidity and mortality in the country.

He said in 2009 there were 407 patients in Davao Region who started renal replacement therapy or dialysis, while 18 patients underwent kidney transplants out of the 8,708 nationwide that started their therapy. The 2010 figures have yet to be released by the Department of Health (DOH).

However, Guillano said the figures "are only the tip of the iceberg" as symptoms of renal failure or kidney malfunction are not easily felt by the patient.

He said as the world celebrates the 6th World Kidney Day on March 10, lectures and forums aimed to raise awareness to avoid renal failure and proper treatment when one already has it, will highlight Mindanao's celebration at SM City Davao. This year's celebration carries the theme “Protect your kidney, save your heart.”