Pediatric Kidney Care

Acute kidney injury

Sudden, significant, and usually unexpected loss of kidney function within a period of just hours or days, for any reason. Common causes include infections, severe dehydration, or blockages in the urinary tract.

Chronic kidney disease

Kidneys gradually lose their ability to function over time after being weakened by ongoing or recurring health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or infections.

Diabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease)

This term is often used when chronic kidney disease occurs as a complication of diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage and weaken kidneys over time.

Glomerulonephritis

This is caused by inflammation of the glomeruli, blood vessels that are involved during the first stage of filtering excess fluid and waste from the bloodstream. Symptoms can include discolored or foamy urine, as well as nausea, cramping, and fatigue.

Congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT)

This includes any structural or functional kidney problems present at birth, such as a missing kidney (renal agenesis) or abnormally small kidneys (renal hypoplasia).

Cystic kidney diseases

These conditions cause fluid-filled sacs called cysts to form in the kidneys, which can prevent them from functioning properly and cause other symptoms. The most common example is polycystic kidney disease.

Renal tubular disorders

In these conditions, the tubules of the kidney (tiny tubes that remove waste products from and return essential nutrients to the blood) don't function properly, which can upset the delicate balance of water, acid, and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium in the bloodstream. Examples include renal tubular acidosis, which can result in too much acid building up in the bloodstream.

Tuberous sclerosis

This condition causes non-cancerous tumors to form in various organs throughout the body. The kidneys are often, although not always, affected. Those with tuberous sclerosis are also at risk for developing polycystic kidney disease.

Bedwetting (enuresis)

While some bedwetting is normal for young children, persistent bedwetting at older ages (particularly age 7 or later) may be the sign of an underlying medical problem.

Hematuria

This condition occurs when blood is present in the urine. Sometimes the blood can be seen easily, turning the urine pink, red, or brown. Other times it’s only found through a urine test under a microscope. This isn’t a disease on its own, it’s a signal that another issue may be affecting the body, such as an infection, irritation, or injury in the kidneys, bladder, or urinary tract.

Nephrotic syndrome

When the filters in the kidneys leak abnormally high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria), it causes the protein levels in the blood to decrease, and as a result the kidneys retain salt and water. Symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include swelling, especially around the eyes, abdomen, ankles, and feet, fatigue, and excessive weight gain.

Proteinuria

Protein in the urine (proteinuria) is often found during routine tests and is common in kids and teens. Usually, it doesn’t cause any symptoms and can only be found by testing, which is done to determine whether protein is in the urine sometimes (intermittent) or all the time (persistent). Persistent protein in the urine is not a disease on its own, but it can mean there’s a problem with the kidneys.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Infections in the urinary tract can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms for kids, including painful or frequent urination, pelvic pain, or discolored urine.

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Consistent high blood pressure is a common cause of chronic kidney disease. Additionally, frequent blood pressure spikes can be a warning sign of an underlying kidney problem.

Kidney stones

Solid, stone-like deposits of minerals, salts, or acids that form in the kidneys. Large kidney stones can get trapped in the urine drainage tubes (ureters) and cause pain, blood in urine, and urine backups in the kidneys (hydronephrosis).

These treatments use an external machine or device to filter your child’s blood when their kidneys are no longer capable of doing so. They include:

Acute hemodialysis

Children go to a dialysis unit a few times per week to have their blood filtered. On average, these sessions take about three or four hours and occur three times per week. Your child’s care team will determine how much dialysis is required. This service is available for teenagers who weigh at least 88 lbs (40 kg).

Continuous renal replacement therapy

Your child’s blood is continuously filtered through a slow-motion dialysis machine 24 hours per day. It is available to children of all ages while they are in an intensive care setting.

Doctors collect a small sample of kidney tissues for analysis and testing. This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin needle, guided by ultrasound or other imaging technology.

Medications are often used to treat, manage, or slow the progression of childhood kidney disease or related conditions. Examples include insulin for type 1 diabetes, blood pressure medications, blood sugar medications, immunosuppressants, and others.