Pediatric Nephrology

The University of Vermont Children's Hospital provides comprehensive services for children and adolescents with diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, including hypertension and metabolic diseases affecting the kidneys.

Our pediatric team is specially trained to care for children with kidney diseases, giving you access to the newest treatments and therapies.

Through everything we do, we are committed to working collaboratively with your child and family to provide the best possible care - and the support you need.

Pediatric Nephrology Services in Burlington, VT

Some of the common conditions our University of Vermont Medical Group pediatric nephrologists treat include:

Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) or acute kidney failure refers to the sudden loss of kidney function. The kidneys' job is to remove excess fluid and waste from the blood. When they stop working, dangerous levels of fluid and waste can build up in the body. While the disease is serious and usually requires intensive treatment, it may be reversible.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive loss of kidney function over a period of months and years. Children with chronic kidney disease or chronic kidney failure may develop health problems such as high blood pressure, anemia, delayed growth, learning delay, poor nutrition and nerve damage. Kidney disease also increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disease.

In children it may be caused by congenital abnormalities of the way the kidneys form, obstruction of the kidneys' drainage, inherited diseases and other disorders. For all patients with chronic kidney disease, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent the disease from progressing. Advanced cases may require dialysis and a kidney transplant.

Hypertension

Pediatric hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when blood pressure - the pressure against the blood vessel walls - is abnormally high. This can damage the blood vessels and vital organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Most children and adolescents over 6 years old with hypertension have a family history of the disease and may be overweight. Others may have underlying health problems causing the hypertension such as kidney diseases or blood vessel irregularities.

In many cases, adults with high blood pressure may have first had hypertension during childhood. While previously thought to be uncommon in children, we now know that this is not rare. Also, as rates of childhood obesity rise, more children are at risk for the condition.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Pediatric nephrotic syndrome, also called nephrosis, is a condition where the kidneys don't filter properly, allowing too much protein to leak into the urine. This reduces the amount of protein in the blood and causes water to move into the body tissues, leading to swelling or edema. Nephrotic syndrome symptoms in children can include swelling around the eyes, or in the belly or legs. It usually occurs in young children between 1 1/2 and 5 years of age, more commonly in boys, although children of any age may be affected.

Genetic Kidney Diseases

Genetic or inherited kidney diseases are disorders that are passed from parents to children through genes. This can happen if one or both parents pass abnormal genes to a child.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) - a group of genetic kidney diseases that cause numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys. Patients with PKD will have chronic kidney disease and, depending on the type of PKD, may have other organs affected as well.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common problems affecting millions of people. They result from bacteria in the urinary tract. If the UTI is not treated, bacteria can move up to the kidneys and cause more serious problems.

After infancy, girls are more likely to have UTIs than boys. Some children experience recurring episodes of UTIs. If untreated, these can cause kidney damage, especially in younger children.

Bladder Dysfunction

Urinary bladder dysfunction or voiding dysfunction refers to a condition where the bladder does not empty normally. There are many different types of bladder problems. They can include bed-wetting, frequent and urgent urination, urinary tract infections or kidney damage.

Other Nephrology-Related Conditions We Treat

• Chronic Kidney Disease or Kidney Failure
  • Dialysis Treatment
  • Kidney Transplantation
• Glomerulonephritis
• Post Strep Glomerulonephritis (GN)
• Chronic Glomerulonephritis (GN)
• Henoch Schonlein Purpura
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Glomerulonephritis (GN)
• Hematuria (blood in the urine)
• IgA Nephropathy
• Nephrotic Syndrome
• Proteinuria (protein in the urine)
• Renal Tubular Acidosis
• Polycystic Kidney Diseases
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
• Alport Syndrome
• Electrolyte Disorders
• Congenital Urinary Tract Obstructions (also called hydronephrosis)
• Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction (UPJO)
• Ureterocele
• Vesicoureteral Reflux
• Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections