What is Paediatric Nephrology?
This is a branch of medicine which looks at the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of children with diseases affecting the kidneys and urinary drainage system (ureters & bladder). The kidneys are organs which are found in the loin areas of your back. They contain tiny filters (glomeruli) consisting of very small blood vessels that filter the blood of toxins that are produced as a result of normal bodily functions. The kidneys balance salts and water levels, produce hormones which control blood pressure, stimulate red blood cell production and help maintain normal bone health. The ureters drain urine which is made in the kidneys into the bladder - see diagram.
A Paediatric Nephrologist is a specialist doctor who trained in the field of Paediatric Nephrology.
The Starship Paediatric Nephrology service is multidisciplinary and provides a full range of diagnostic and treatment options for both acute and chronic conditions affecting the kidney. This includes congenital kidney disorders, hypertension and acquired disorders of the kidney, acute and chronic kidney diseases leading to acute or chronic kidney failure, some of which may require long term dialysis and subsequent kidney transplantation.
A variety of different tests may be required to help diagnose the cause of a child’s kidney or urinary tract condition. These include:
• Renal Ultrasound scan see Kidshealth for more information
• Micturating Cystourethrogram (MCUG) see Kidshealth for more information
• DMSA nuclear medicine scan see Kidshealth for more information
• DTPA nuclear medicine scan see Kidshealth for more information
• Renal Biopsy see Kidshealth for more information
• EDTA – GFR