Kids down one kidney can still play sports, says study

A new study found that it is safe for kids with just one kidney to play sports.

There are an estimated 1500 children born with only one kidney and health officials have previously warned against contact sports for fear of damaging the organ.

The study from the University of Utah found that sports-related kidney injuries to young people are so rare that it is unnecessary to refrain from sports.

ABC News reported that the researchers found that even among the 23,000 injuries they investigated, only 18 were mild kidney injuries. 

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"Even in the highest-risk group, kidney injury is a very rare condition," study author Matthew Grinsell of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City told Reuters.

"Especially with today's obesity epidemic, I am very, very reluctant to counsel somebody against physical activity."

Other injuries far outpaced those involved kidney's the authors found.

The study's press release said that among the most common injuries there were 3,450 knee injuries, 2,069 injuries to the head, neck, or spine, 1,219 mild traumatic brain injuries, 148 eye injuries, and 17 testicular injuries.

The study was published in the journal Pediatrics.

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