Paediatric Nephrology

Common Kidney conditions that affect children

• Congenital Defects: It is an umbrella term used for a wide spectrum of birth defects, i.e. a child is born with these problems. This usually happens when the kidneys do not develop normally within the womb. These include renal agenesis (either one or both kidneys are missing), kidney dysplasia ( kidneys are partially developed) and renal hypoplasia (the size of either one or both kidneys is significantly small).
• Hereditary Kidney Diseases: These are passed down to the child from the parents through faulty genes. These include conditions like polycystic kidney disease and Alport syndrome. The former is marked by the development of multiple cysts within the kidneys and the latter is marked by severe inflammation caused by damage to the blood vessels within the kidneys.
• Fetal Hydronephrosis: It is a condition marked by an abnormal increase in the size of either one or both kidneys due to a blockage in the urinary tract, which is still developing. This could also be due to vesicoureteral reflux, marked by backward flow of urine. 
• Polycystic Kidney Disease: PKD not only affects adults, but kids too. It is marked by the development of tiny cysts in both kidneys. Without proper medical intervention, the condition can disrupt normal renal function and lead to renal failure. It may be diagnosed while the baby is still inside the womb or soon after birth
• Infections: Kidney disease in children can also be a result of an underlying infection that directly or indirectly involves the kidneys. These can lead to serious conditions like hemolytic uremic syndrome and postinfectious glomerulonephritis.
• Nephrotic Syndrome: It is a potentially serious condition marked by the presence of excessive amounts of protein in the urine. This happens when the glomeruli are damaged due to an underlying medical condition. In children above 12 years of age, these happen to be the leading cause of chronic kidney disease
• Traumatic Injuries: Kidney problems in children may not necessarily be caused by a disease or genetic condition. These can also be the result of an injury sustained in an accident. This usually results in acute kidney injury or renal failure

When should you consider seeing our experts?

Children with kidney problems present with a wide range of symptoms and these vary from one child to another. You should consider seeing a Pediatric Nephrologist if you notice the following symptoms:

• Increased frequency of urination
• Wetting bed too often
• Traces of blood in the child's urine
• Pain or a burning sensation while urinating
• Difficulty in holding urine, i.e. urinary incontinence
• Swollen hands, feet or face
• Foamy urine
• Elevated blood pressure
• Fever and itchiness

How Nephrological problems are diagnosed in children?

There is a wide range of tests and modalities available for diagnosing nephrological problems in kids. These are recommended on the basis of the specific symptoms that a child is experiencing, physical evaluation and medical history

The most common modalities used by our experts at Surya Hospital include:

• Urine test for assessing the levels of protein
• Blood test for assessing serum creatine, blood urea nitrogen and electrolyte levels
• Complete blood count
• Biopsy of tissue sample collected from kidneys
• Ultrasound
• Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG)
• Computerized Tomography (CAT scan)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Treatments

At Surya Hospital, we tailor the treatments to meet specific situations based on factors like the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, potential complications and age of the child

• In the case of acute kidney diseases, there might be a need for hospitalization. Medication and surgical intervention are recommended based on the child’s condition. Surgery is generally the last resort of treatment, and that works best for patients who are not responding to conservative treatments.
• In the case of chronic renal conditions, where the child does not need immediate intervention, medication and lifestyle modification are recommended. Regular follow-ups are very crucial in such cases as these help us to track your child’s prognosis and make adjustments in the treatment whenever needed.
• In the case of renal failure, where the baby has lost partial or complete renal function, we offer a dialysis facility. The unit is outfitted with the most advanced dialysis equipment to ensure a safe and comfortable experience with efficient results