About Pediatric Nephrology
The Pediatric Nephrology Department at Children’s Hospital of Georgia offers comprehensive care for acute and chronic
kidney disorders or damage to the kidneys in children from newborns to age 21.
Kidneys are the two organs located near your back on either side of your spine, it
is their job to filter your blood to get rid of waste, balance fluids and regulate
electrolytes (minerals and salts) in your body. Blood flows through the kidneys throughout
the day and is filtered, the excess waste collects in the kidneys and drains into
your bladder where is excreted from the body.
Why Choose Us for Pediatric Kidney Care
If your child has, or develops, a problem with their kidneys, you want to know they
are being looked after by a highly trained team of doctors who know how to deal with
your child’s specific condition. We have a:
- Pediatric Nephrology Clinic: We are open every day of the week to provide treatment for your child in a clean comfortable
setting.
- Multidisciplinary team: We are home to the region's only pediatric nephrologists, pediatric kidney transplant
surgeon and pediatric urologists, who specialize in treating the complications of
pediatric kidney disease.
- Pediatric dialysis care: Children’s Hospital of Georgia is one of only two hospitals offering pediatric dialysis
in Georgia.
- Patients and families first: We encourage our pediatric kidney patients and their families to be a big part of
the decision making when it comes to their care, we want families to be involved through
a child’s whole CHOG journey.
Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program
We have a comprehensive transplant program to treat end-stage renal failure in children.
We provide dialysis, and before and after kidney transplant services, at our Pediatric Nephrology Clinic, in an environment designed just for young patients enrolled in the Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program.
Kidney Conditions We Treat
Our nephrology team is trained in the care and management of kidney problems such
as:
- Acute and chronic renal insufficiency
- Fluid electrolyte imbalances
- Hypertension
- Kidney stones
- Nephritic and Nephrotic syndromes
- Reflux or other diseases that damage the kidneys
Our Services
If your child is experiencing symptoms of kidney disease, such as strange colored
pee, changes in how much or how often they pee, swelling of their hands, feet or face,
or lower back pain then they might need to see us.
Diagnostics and evaluation procedures
We offer a full range of in-house non-surgical and surgical diagnostic procedures
including:
- Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, to measure a child’s blood pressure over a 24-hour period.
- Renal ultrasound, where we use sound waves to see the size, shape, and location of the kidney(s) and/or
to check the blood flow into the kidneys.
- Kidney biopsy, an image-guided surgical procedure to extract a sample of the kidney for examination
to determine treatment options. Patients will stay overnight at Children’s Hospital
of Georgia.
Treatments for kidney disease
Kidney treatments can range from simple to complex. Children’s Hospital of Georgia
offers:
- Pediatric dialysis, specialized hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for acute and chronic kidney patients
at our Pediatric Nephrology Clinic, open seven days a week.
- Nutritional counseling, by registered dietitians to help your child manage what they eat and drink for optimal
kidney health.
- Kidney transplant surgery, performed by a specially trained pediatric kidney surgeon for end-stage renal failure.
Support Services
We are there for you and your child, always know you can come to us for support care
and comfort. Please consult our,
- Medical social workers
- Child Life Specialists, to help children with kidney problems understand and cope
with diagnosis and treatment.