Can boyfriend with a single kidney play football or is it dangerous?

I have a 12 -year -old single -year -old son, neflectomized due to a congenital malformation of the ureter. It is currently in excellent health, with all parameters in the norm. I have always forbidden the practice of football, as a contact sport. For a year, however, my son has complained about the rigidity of my decision insisting with the request to play football. What do you think?

Respond Arrigo SchieppatiClinical Research Center for Rare Diseases, Mario Negri Institute, Bergamo (Go to the forum)

According to several studies, the probability of suffering serious damage to the only one kidney – in a person who is in this condition – during sports, especially during the practice of Sport with good or high probability of contact between opponents (such as football, basketball, rugby) is considered low, for example lower than the risk related to a road accident. The probability of severe damage could be higher for sport that do not imply contact between opponents but that can expose trauma, such as cycling, sliding, skiing and snowboarding, horse riding and motocross. I have not found in the data literature – which probably exist – on martial arts or the like, a sport in which it is part of the practice to hit the opponent.

Non -competitive activities

Doctors who have young patients who have suffered the removal of a kidney For a tumor or for a malformation, or were born with a single kidney, they do not discourage sport, indeed they promote it for the physical and psychological benefits it involves. In general, however, they refer to non -competitive activities. If his son aspires to carry out a competitive sports, it is necessary to know that the release of a sporting suitability. In this regard, I don’t think the opinion of the Nephrologist is so relevant; This specialist can only affirm that, on the basis of scientific literature, the risk is low but not null.

Regional commissions

On the other hand, suitability can only be issued by A sports doctor And from what I have read (I am not a sports medicine expert) I believe that in this field Viga the principle of do not give suitability for competitive sports for sport that provide for physical contact in subjects who have only one organ. The Regions have equipped themselves with regional appeal commissions for the revision of certificates of definitive unsuitability for the practice of sports activities; From what I have read, even in the event of use of these commissions, The practice is to confirm the unsuitability. Since we enter a terrain that has medical-legal implications perhaps, more than a nephrologist, the opinion of a professional who has knowledge of legislation and jurisprudence in this specific matter is useful.