Kidney stones are hard, pebble-like objects that form in the kidneys. They form when minerals (like salts or calcium) build up in the urine (pee). The minerals collect together and become a kidney stone. Kidney stones can get stuck in the kidney, or they can travel out of the kidney into the ureter (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder).

Larger stones cause problems such as back, side, or belly pain and blood in the urine (pee). Some stones also can block the flow of pee. Pain medicine and drinking plenty of liquids will help your child pass the stone out of the body in their pee. Your health care provider will have you strain the pee to see if the stone comes out. Here's how to care for your child.

Follow your health care provider's instructions for:

• How much and what kinds of liquids your child needs to drink. Drinking plenty of liquids will help pass the stone out of the body.
• Giving any medicines for pain. These may include prescription pain medicine, acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand), or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Some prescription pain medicines also include acetaminophen or ibuprofen. To avoid giving too much, give the medicines exactly as your health care provider recommends.
• How long to continue to strain your child's pee. This may be until the stone passes or their pain lessens.

To strain your child's pee:

• Have your child pee into a clean container. Males can pee into a plastic bottle. Females can pee into a plastic urinal "hat" that fits under the top lid of the toilet. These are available online and at most pharmacies and medical supply stores.
• Pour the pee through the strainer. You can use a strainer that your health care provider gave you, a strainer that you buy at a medical supply store, or a coffee filter.
• Look for any kidney stones or small, hard stone-like material. If the stone was crushed before your child passed it, there may be only fragments of the stone in the strainer.

Collect any stones or stone fragments and let them dry on a paper towel. Once they are dry, put them in a clean container and take it to your health care provider's office.

Your child:

• Is peeing less often than usual
• Has pain in the belly or back that gets worse
• Has a fever
• Has nausea or vomiting
• Has pain or burning when peeing

Your child:

• Can't eat or drink
• Has pain that doesn't go away with pain medicine
• Is not able to pee

Why do kids get kidney stones? Most kids who get kidney stones have a health condition or take a medicine that increases their chances of getting them. Some other reasons that can make a child more likely to get a kidney stone are:

• Not drinking enough water
• Eating too much salt
• Not having enough citric acid (the acid in citrus fruits, such as oranges) in the urine
• Having too much calcium in the urine

Can kidney stones be prevented? It's not always possible to prevent some types of kidney stones. However, kids who've had kidney stones should:

• Drink a lot of liquids throughout the day. If their pee is almost clear, that's a sign they're drinking enough. Ask your health care provider how much liquid your child should drink every day.
• Avoid sodas, soft drinks, and sports drinks.
• Make any changes to their diet that their health care provider recommends. This may include limiting the salt or protein in your child's diet.

If these changes don't prevent kidney stones, medicines can help for some kinds of stones.

Why do health care providers have you strain the pee? Your health care provider will test any stones or stone fragments to see what they are made of. They can use this information to find the cause and know what you can do to prevent other stones.

Are there any other ways to help stones pass or to remove them? If the kidney stone is large or does not pass on its own, your child may need to see a urologist or surgeon to help remove it.