Gout is rare in children, but excess uric acid can form in their bodies at a young age. Genetic predisposition, diet, and overall health can determine whether an individual will have gout. Children who grow up on a diet high in fructose sugar and low in fiber are statistically more likely to suffer from health problems later in life, including gout.
Gout in children is rare. The symptoms associated with this condition are typically unaffected by individuals who have not yet experienced puberty. The negative physical conditions that can lead to the condition, however, can form in early childhood.
The condition known as gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the joints, typically the wrists, ankles, big toes and fingers. It usually causes swelling in those joints and surrounding tissue, redness, and mild to severe pain. This condition usually affects men between the ages of 13 and 75 and can also occur in women who have gone through menopause.
Other factors that can help determine whether an individual will have gout include genetic predisposition, diet, and overall health. Those who descend from a line of gout sufferers are much more likely to suffer from these symptoms. These individuals are often deficient in a key enzyme in the body that helps process purines in food, which can lead to uric acid buildup. Those who eat a diet high in purine-containing foods, such as meat, trout and beans, and drink one to two alcoholic drinks a day, are also at risk. These foods increase the amount of uric acid in the blood and prevent the body from eliminating it.
Although gout in children doesn’t occur often, their bodies can start forming excess uric acid in the blood at a young age. It is rare for a child who has not yet gone through puberty to experience a full gout attack, including the swelling and pain associated with this type of episode. Children form their eating habits early in life, however, and these habits will determine the types of food they eat as teenagers and adults. Boys who are genetically predisposed to gout and who don’t eat a healthy diet or exercise regularly may experience an attack as soon as they hit puberty.
Children who grow up on a diet high in fructose sugar and low in fiber are statistically more likely to suffer from health problems later in life, including gout. The buildup of sugars and animal proteins in the blood can lead to a high amount of uric acid, which can set the stage in the body for a future gout attack in children. Exercising regularly, increasing the amount of fiber in your daily diet, and drinking large amounts of water can reduce the likelihood of gout leading to an attack in your teens.
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