Cambodian teenager dies from kidney failure linked to soda consumption

A 14-year-old boy from Prey Veng province, Cambodia, has passed away following severe kidney failure linked to a long-term habit of consuming carbonated soft drinks. According to his parents, the boy began consuming bottled sodas at age 10 and used them as his primary source of hydration for four years, often choosing them over water or soup during meals.

Despite parental warnings, the boy continued to consume sugary drinks daily. His condition deteriorated rapidly, manifesting in symptoms of late-stage kidney failure, including cyanosis due to anemia and severe circulatory failure, as well as acute edema caused by the kidneys' inability to excrete water.

After being rushed to hospitals in Phnom Penh, medical examinations across four different facilities confirmed that both kidneys had suffered extensive damage, including severe fibrosis and total loss of function.