Children are referred and followed for a multitude of renal maladies, ranging from the mild and transient to complete kidney failure requiring dialysis and kidney transplantation. Although advances in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases help to delay the onset of the need for dialysis, dialysis remains a life-sustaining necessity for many children.

The Section has provided renal service for more than 30 years and has extensive experience in the treatment of kidney and related diseases and renal replacement therapy - both hospital-based outpatient hemodialysis and an equally proficient and unparalleled home-based peritoneal dialysis program (for those children and families who medically qualify).

Inpatient responsibilities include direct care of kidney patients and consultative services, as well as provision of dialysis, both acute and chronic forms, and the medical management of the renal transplant recipient. The same services are available to outpatients. After-hours access to renal clinical coordinators is available to all Kidney Center patients. A nephrologist is always available to all local and regional area physicians for phone consultation.

Renal transplant outcomes continue to improve, and the transplant program has seen a consistent number of successful transplants being performed annually. The Section participates in a number of national collaborative studies that include the investigation of different forms of immunosuppression therapy for transplantation and the treatment of focal glomerulosclerosis and IgA nephropathy.

Members of the pediatric nephrology faculty actively participate in the education of medical students, pediatric residents and child health associate students in training for the subspecialty of nephrology.

The faculty also participates in community outreach and provides continuing medical education for clinicians in the region.

Faculty research interests encompass a broad range of basic science and clinical topics in pediatric nephrology. These projects currently include the study of several renal conditions, including renal salt and water handling, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), growth failure in chronic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and pediatric renal transplantation.

All faculty members are involved in collaborative research with pediatric surgery to examine immunosuppression regimens and outcomes in pediatric renal transplantation.