Choose a specialist for your child's kidney health
Our pediatric nephrology care team at Ascension sites of care provide personalized care for children with kidney disease and high blood pressure.
Specialty care for children with kidney disease
Your child’s kidney health is your priority. It’s our priority too. At Ascension-affiliated children’s hospitals and sites of care, our pediatric nephrologists deliver care for infants, children and teens with kidney disease and high blood pressure. Our doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and social workers listen to understand your child and their health. Then, we deliver a personalized care plan that’s right for your child.
Symptoms of kidney disease
Let us know if your family has a history of renal disease. Our pediatric care teams provide family-centered treatment programs. Also, prenatal testing helps detect problems with kidney function. Doctors provide consultations to help treat infants with kidney disease. As your child grows, the condition can be related to frequent UTIs, high blood pressure and growth concerns.
Symptoms of a kidney health condition may be similar to flu symptoms. Signs of pediatric kidney disease may include:
- Changes in urinary frequency
- Difficulty concentrating
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Lack of appetite
- Puffiness in the hands, feet, eyes, or belly
- Urine color changes to a darker or red color
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Pediatric nephrology care to help improve your child’s kidney health
Kidney health conditions may be caused by an infection, trauma, or other more serious conditions. Your child’s nutrition may also affect how well the kidneys work. Our dietitians offer nutritional support to help improve your child’s kidney health. Other health conditions related to poor kidney function may include:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Congenital kidney disorders
- Electrolyte disorders
- End-stage renal disease, kidney failure
- Glomerulonephritis
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Kidney injury
- Kidney stones
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Wilms tumor
Pediatric kidney treatment programs
Our care team provides tests for kidney health and advanced kidney treatments. Specialized kidney health programs include:
- Dialysis - Hemodialysis and home peritoneal dialysis are treatment options that help do the job of the kidneys. Dialysis helps your child stay healthy until they have a kidney biopsy or kidney transplant.
- Hypertension - Pediatric specialists are trained to treat and monitor high blood pressure in children and teens.
- Kidney stones - A multispecialty care team of nephrology, urology and medical nutrition specialists help relieve kidney stone pain and improve kidney and renal function.
- Kidney transplant care - Nephrology care teams deliver transplant follow-up care at Ascension-affiliated children’s hospitals.
Get a second opinion on your child's kidney health
Getting a second opinion from a pediatric nephrology specialist helps provide more information about your child’s condition and may increase your confidence in your child’s care plan. Ask if a virtual visit is an option for your child’s second opinion appointment.
If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.