Urate Crystals in Diaper
The normal concentration of uric acid in infants is actually very high. They are excreted in the urine and may precipitate (JS).
"Parents are often concerned when they find crystals in the diaper. By far
the most common cause of these crystals is urate--something
normally found in urine. And when
the concentration is high, crystals form. They can be
hard, but they are most
often soft, like tiny cubes of
Jell-O. They can be pale or clear,
but often have an orange tinge,
leading many parents to be concerned about blood.
Urate crystals are more common when kids
are dehydrated, but are also
common in healthy, well-fed babies. The
inner lining of the diapers can also contain moisture-absorbing crystals that
sometimes leak out if there is a little tear in the diaper. Urate
crystals are not painful to
babies. If your pediatrician suspects these are a different type of crystal, the
material can be tested at the lab. Urate crystals are
most common in the first few months of
life. " Alan Greene MD FAAP. January 27, 2003