Question
A 13-year-old child developed a fever due to a bacterial infection and was hospitalized for treatment. After the treatment, three consecutive urine tests showed that the uric acid level was over 500. The parents are seeking possible causes and suggestions.
Answer
High uric acid levels may be related to medication use during the recent hospitalization, and it is also not ruled out that blood diseases may be a possibility. It is recommended to undergo further examinations to determine the diagnosis. For a child’s diet, it is advisable to avoid consuming high-purine foods such as animal organs, seafood, and beer. Encourage drinking plenty of water and moderate exercise to promote uric acid metabolism. If the fasting serum uric acid level remains above the normal value for two consecutive days under normal purine dietary conditions, it can be diagnosed as hyperuricemia.