What Are the Side Effects of Melamine in Milk?

In 2008, factories in China were found to be adding melamine to pet food and milk products to mask protein deficiencies. Melamine can have a devastating effect on the kidneys, especially in smaller children. According to a June 15, 2010, Reuters report, 300,000 children suffered kidney problems after consuming milk containing melamine. At least 50,000 babies were hospitalized, many with kidney stones. In some cases, the effects of melamine can take time to manifest. Knowing the effects of this industrial compound can help you determine if your child has been exposed to it.

Acute Kidney Failure in Children

• According to Science Base.com, in 2008 several thousand children in China who consumed milk tainted with melamine have experienced acute kidney failure. According to China's Health Minister Chen Zhu, the children exhibited symptoms approximately six months after ingesting the tainted milk.

Kidney Stones

• As written by Bill Powell, melamine has been blamed for the development of kidney stones in children, according to a Nov. 13, 2008 article published on Time.com. As of November 2008, 53,000 children in China had developed kidney stones due to melamine ingestion. Six have died.

Bladder Inflammation and Bladder Stones

• According to the World Health Organization, milk tainted with melamine can lead to bladder inflammation and bladder stones in animals. However, there is insufficient evidence that melamine affects human bladders in the same manner.