Pediatric Nephrology Program

Our pediatric nephrologists care for children who have conditions affecting the kidneys and urinary tract. Our expert care is focused on determining an accurate diagnosis for your child’s condition, providing the most advanced therapies, and supporting your family through the challenges that can accompany these conditions.

Our specialists, which include pediatric nephrologists, urologists, psychologists, a social worker, and specially trained nurses, provide ongoing care up to age 21. In some situations, diagnosis begins even before birth. When prenatal tests of a baby in the womb reveal that the kidneys might not be developing properly, our doctors create a treatment plan that can begin as soon as your baby is born.

Kidney Conditions We Treat

At the Pediatric Nephrology Program, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, we provide your child with all necessary testing, including blood and urine tests, imaging, blood pressure monitoring, and kidney biopsy. We also offer genetic screening and counseling for hereditary conditions.

We care for children with all forms of kidney disease, including the following:

• congenital kidney conditions, including renal agenesis that results in a child being born with only one kidney; renal dysplasia, where a child has one or two kidneys but they are malformed and not functioning normally; ectopic kidney, where a kidney is in the wrong position; and obstructive uropathy, in which normal urine flow is blocked
• hereditary conditions such as Alport syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, and tubular disorders
• glomerular disease caused by infection or systemic inflammation
• hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by E. coli
• autoimmune diseases that affect the kidney such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• nephrotic syndrome, including minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, which causes symptoms resulting from protein loss in the urine, unhealthy levels of albumin or cholesterol in the blood, edema (swelling), and kidney damage
• hypertension without identifiable causes, known as essential hypertension, or secondary to a systemic or vascular disease
• kidney stones
• voiding disorders, including enuresis
• chronic kidney disease caused by a full range of related conditions

Our nurses, Suzanne Vento, RN, and Laura Jane Pehrson, RN, are specially trained in caring for children with kidney and urinary tract conditions. When necessary, we coordinate with our pediatric urologists to ensure all of your child’s medical needs are met.

Kidney Disease Treatment for Children

We provide your child with any necessary treatment. This can include medications to slow the progression of kidney disease and treat its side effects. When necessary, we provide end-stage kidney disease treatment, including acute dialysis and kidney transplant, along with ongoing support during and after treatment. In addition, we talk with parents about the opportunity to have their children participate in clinical trials and research projects.

Sometimes children with kidney-related disorders also have learning challenges or slowed physical growth. We prescribe dietary supplements and other treatments such as growth hormone that can aid development. We also work with your child and family to help you adopt a diet that has a healthy amount of potassium, protein, sodium, and low-acid foods, which can ease symptoms related to kidney disease.

Kidney disorders affect the entire family, and our team provides emotional support and palliative care, especially for children who have abnormal voiding patterns, including daytime or nighttime incontinence, and difficulty participating in sports and other activities. Children receiving dialysis can also have challenges keeping up with schoolwork. Our behavioral health experts, including a social worker, can counsel your child and help his or her teachers and classmates understand your child’s condition.