Pediatric Nephrology Conditions and Treatments

Kidney failure in children can happen suddenly or over time. In either case, turn to our pediatric nephrology specialists for help. We have the largest children's kidney care program in West Michigan and have been nationally-recognized for treating kidney disease at all stages. We offer dialysis and perform kidney transplants for children or teenagers who need them. We can guide your family's journey, too.

Kidney failure means the kidneys slow down or stop properly filtering wastes from the body. Waste products and toxic substances can then build up in the blood. Dialysis can serve as a filter in place of the kidneys when kidney failure reaches end stage. For some individuals, a transplant may be needed.

Treating children with kidney failure is a team effort between your family, your child and your specialized care team. Our doctors are exceptional at what they do and will work towards the long-term good health of your child, while slowing the decline of kidney function. As you consider your child’s options, know that we specialize in both types of blood-filtering methods: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

If your child's kidney disease progresses to the point of needing a kidney transplant, our skilled transplant team are your champions and expert resources whenever you need us. Thanks to our pioneering research, steroids are no longer necessary post-surgery to maintain the body's acceptance of the new kidney.

Our children's kidney experts will do an evaluation of your child's nephritis condition to identify the cause and provide treatment recommendations. Sometimes, medicine or even dialysis is needed to remove extra fluid and control the high blood pressure. If your child’s illness gets worse quickly, we may prescribe other medicines to help the immune system function the way it should.

Corewell Health also has scientists and doctors leading important clinical trials and research into new ways to treat nephritis. It’s one of the reasons we’ve been nationally recognized for treating kids with kidney troubles.

At Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, we'll put our extensive pediatric kidney care expertise to work on your child's nephritis. The good news: most children recover from nephritis.

Sometimes medicine or even dialysis is needed to remove extra fluid and control high blood pressure. If your child’s illness gets worse quickly, we may prescribe other medicines to help the immune system function the way it should.

Our pediatric nephrology treatment sometimes includes plasmapheresis, which is a process to remove harmful proteins from your child's blood. You'll also find the newest discoveries here. Our scientists and physicians are leading important clinical trials and research into new therapies for nephritis.