Pediatric nephrology focuses on kidney and urinary problems in infants, children and adolescents. Children may need kidney evaluation for swelling, blood or protein in urine, high blood pressure, recurrent urinary infections, congenital kidney abnormalities, nephrotic syndrome or reduced kidney function.
A child with persistent kidney-related symptoms or abnormal urine and blood tests should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Pediatric nephrology is the branch of medicine concerned with kidney disease, blood pressure disorders and certain urinary abnormalities in children.
Kidney disease in children can occur because of congenital conditions, inherited disorders, infections, nephrotic syndrome, urinary reflux, obstruction or other medical conditions.
For general educational information, see NIDDK – Kidney Disease in Children .
Kidney and urinary conditions seen in children may include:
The exact cause and treatment differ from child to child.
Possible signs may include:
Kidney disease in children may sometimes be present with few or no symptoms, so abnormal blood or urine tests may be the first clue.
Nephrotic syndrome is a group of findings that can occur when the kidney filters allow too much protein to pass into the urine.
Common features include:
Swelling around the eyes is a common sign in children with nephrotic syndrome.
For more detailed information, see NIDDK – Nephrotic Syndrome in Children .
Yes.
Protein in urine may occur because of temporary causes or kidney disease, while blood in urine may come from the kidneys or urinary tract.
Persistent abnormalities usually require further assessment.
For related information, read Protein & Blood in Urine .
Yes. High blood pressure can occur in children and may sometimes be associated with kidney disease.
A child with repeated high blood pressure readings may require evaluation for kidney, hormonal or other underlying causes.
Kidney disease can both contribute to hypertension and be affected by it.
Yes. Chronic kidney disease in children may develop from congenital abnormalities, inherited disease, infections, urinary obstruction, reflux, nephrotic syndrome or systemic conditions.
For more information about long-term kidney dysfunction, read Acute & Chronic Kidney Diseases .
Depending on the child’s symptoms and history, evaluation may include:
Not every child needs all of these tests.
No.
A kidney biopsy is not routinely required for every child. It may be recommended when the diagnosis is uncertain or when more information about kidney tissue is needed.
NIDDK notes that many children with nephrotic syndrome do not need a biopsy unless there are specific clinical reasons.
For related information, read Kidney Biopsy .
Treatment depends on the cause and severity.
Management may include:
Treatment should always be individualised for the child.
Some children with advanced kidney failure may require dialysis or kidney transplantation.
These decisions are made by specialist pediatric kidney and transplant teams after detailed assessment.
For general information, read Kidney Transplantation .
Medical evaluation may be appropriate if a child has:
Urgent medical attention may be needed if there is very low urine output, severe swelling, breathing difficulty, seizures, significant dehydration or severe illness.
Children with kidney-related concerns may require assessment by an appropriately trained kidney specialist or pediatric nephrology service, depending on the child’s condition.
Dr. Jyoti Bansode, MBBS, MD Medicine, DM Nephrology, provides nephrology consultation in Navi Mumbai, including Vashi and Ulwe.
If your child has persistent swelling, abnormal urine tests, recurrent urinary infections or other kidney-related concerns, contact the clinic for consultation information and appropriate medical evaluation.
View Contact InformationYes. Some children may have few symptoms, and kidney problems may first be detected through urine tests, blood tests or blood pressure measurements.
It can be. Swelling around the eyes is a common feature of nephrotic syndrome, but other conditions can also cause swelling.
No. Protein in urine can sometimes be temporary, but persistent proteinuria should be investigated.
Yes. Kidney disease can contribute to high blood pressure, and persistent hypertension can also affect kidney health.
No. Many children do not need a kidney biopsy unless there are specific clinical indications.
Parents in Navi Mumbai, Vashi or Ulwe can seek nephrology evaluation when a child has persistent kidney-related symptoms or abnormal tests. The treating doctor can advise whether pediatric nephrology referral is required.