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Poor growth and appropriate weight gain are two major nutrition problems for children with kidney failure, so diet is individualized for each child and usually not restricted unless needed. Children grow fastest during the first two years of life. The earlier the age at which kidney disease occurs...

If your child has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, you are no doubt feeling distressed and bewildered. These feelings are normal. And once you realize that your child's illness is a reality the family must accept, you can develop some practical ways to cope with the day-to-day aspects of...

Many people don’t know it, but common childhood infections can cause kidney damage and kidney failure.  This is especially true for children.  Two childhood infections to be aware of are 1) strep infections caused by the Streptococcus bacteria, which leads to strep throat and impetigo (a...

High blood pressure is common in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Because of their young age when they develop CKD and high blood pressure, there is a high risk that these children may eventually have heart problems and a worsening of CKD. It is very important for children with CKD to be...

Nathan Beins, MHPE, MD Pediatric Nephrology Children’s Mercy Kansas City   One of the most common questions asked by parents of children with kidney disease is whether contact sports are safe. Physical activity is very important for overall health and this is especially true for children with...

Introduction What is an Advance Directive? I’m 18 Years Old…Why Do I Need an Advance Directive? Advance Directives and Dialysis Other Important Points Discussion Topics Other Resources Introduction The Patient Self-Determination Act, in effect since 1991, gives adults with the capacity to make...

Being a teenager is hard.  Dealing with kidney disease can make it feel even more challenging. You are probably taking at least one medication, maybe more. Remembering to take your medications every day and at the right time is not always easy.  It may seem as if the other parts of your...

In recent years, better ultrasound machines have allowed your doctor to see your baby's kidneys more clearly during pregnancy. Different types of problems can be found including absence of one or both kidneys, abnormal position of a kidney, hydronephrosis (swelling of a kidney), fluid-filled cysts...

Kidney disease is common among adults, and many habits learned by kids can set the stage for kidney health as they get older. You can help your kid(s) protect their kidneys from an early age. Here are seven golden rules to start following now to ensure your child’s future kidney health. Get...

When a family member develops kidney failure, the whole family is affected, even if they don't all show it. Everyone has questions about how kidney failure will affect their own and the patient's life and future plans. If a parent develops kidney failure, children have questions too. Some children...

What is hematuria? Hematuria means that red blood cells are in the urine. Urine does not normally contain red blood cells because the filters in the kidney prevent blood from entering the urine. In hematuria, the filters or other parts of the urinary tract allow blood to leak into the urine....

A Guide for Children with Kidney Disease, Kidney Failure, or a Kidney Transplant Click on the thumbnail to download a schedule of childhood vaccinations. Why does my child need a vaccination? Vaccinations are often called “shots” (given as an injection with a needle), but vaccinations can also be...

How many kidneys do I have? Most people have two kidneys. Kidneys are inside the body. They are about the size of your fist. Where are your kidneys? Kidneys are in your lower back. What do kidneys do? Kidneys are busy! They are like washing machines for the blood in the body.  The kidneys...

What is an ectopic kidney? An ectopic kidney is a kidney that is out of place.  An ectopic kidney is caused by a birth defect. What causes an ectopic kidney? An ectopic kidney happens while a baby is growing in the womb.  Normally, the kidneys form a kidney bud within the pelvis (hip...