Quick answer
What does a pediatric nephrologist treat?
A pediatric nephrologist diagnoses and manages kidney and urinary tract conditions in children. These include recurrent urinary tract infections, nephrotic syndrome, blood or protein in the urine, kidney stones, high blood pressure, kidney problems identified before birth and long-term kidney disease.
What is pediatric nephrology?
Pediatric nephrology is the branch of medicine concerned with identifying and managing kidney and urinary tract diseases in children. The kidneys filter the blood, balance fluid and salts and help control blood pressure, so kidney problems can show up in many different ways.
Many kidney-related concerns are first picked up by a pediatrician through a urine test, a blood pressure reading or an ultrasound, and are then evaluated further as needed.
When might a child need a kidney evaluation?
- Swelling around the eyes, of the legs or of the tummy
- Pain or burning when passing urine, or fever with no clear cause
- Red, brown or frothy urine
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- Passing very little urine, or far more than usual
- Daytime wetting, or bedwetting that continues or returns
- A kidney finding on a pregnancy scan or later ultrasound
- High blood pressure
Conditions and concerns evaluated
- Urinary tract infections
- Diagnosis, treatment and assessment of children with repeated infections.
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Swelling with protein in the urine, including monitoring and relapse care.
- Kidney stones
- Evaluation of pain or blood in urine and advice to reduce recurrence.
- Blood or protein in urine
- Working out the cause of an abnormal urine test.
- Wetting concerns
- Assessment of daytime wetting and persistent bedwetting.
- Kidney health education
- Hydration, balanced diet and avoiding unnecessary medicines.
How GROW approaches kidney concerns
Evaluation generally starts with simple, informative steps: a careful history, growth and blood pressure measurement and a urine test. Further tests such as kidney function blood tests or an ultrasound are advised when they will change what is done.
Parents are given clear guidance on fluids, diet and what to monitor at home. Children who need advanced kidney care are referred to an appropriate specialist centre.
Specialist pediatric nephrology consultations may be scheduled on specific days or arranged by referral. Please call the hospital to confirm current availability before your visit.
What to expect at the consultation
History
Symptoms, urine pattern, fluid intake, past infections and family history.
Measurements
Height, weight and blood pressure.
Examination
Checking for swelling, tummy tenderness and other signs.
Tests
Urinalysis and, if needed, kidney function tests or an ultrasound.
Plan
Treatment, home monitoring and follow-up.
Age groups
Newborns with kidney findings on scans, infants, children and adolescents.
What to bring
- Previous urine and blood test reports
- Ultrasound and other imaging reports, including pregnancy scans if relevant
- A record of blood pressure readings, if any
- All current medicines with doses
When to seek urgent medical care
Do not wait for a routine appointment if your child has any of the following:
- Very little or no urine over many hours
- Rapidly increasing swelling of the face, legs or tummy
- Visible blood in the urine with pain or fever
- High fever with back or side pain and vomiting
- Severe headache, drowsiness or a seizure in a child with a known kidney condition
Go to the nearest emergency department or call your local emergency number.
Pediatric Nephrology: frequently asked questions
What does a pediatric nephrologist treat?
Kidney and urinary tract conditions in children, such as recurrent urinary infections, nephrotic syndrome, kidney stones, blood or protein in the urine and high blood pressure.
How do I know if my child has a urinary tract infection?
Symptoms can include fever, pain or burning when passing urine, passing urine often, tummy or back pain and, in babies, poor feeding or irritability. A urine test is needed to confirm it.
Is bedwetting a kidney problem?
Usually not. Bedwetting is common in young children and often improves with time. It is worth discussing with a pediatrician if it continues, returns after a dry period or occurs with daytime symptoms.
How can I keep my child's kidneys healthy?
Encourage regular water intake, a balanced diet without excess salt, regular toilet habits and physical activity. Avoid giving medicines, including painkillers, without medical advice.
Further reading
General guidance on this page is consistent with information published by:
