The Pediatric Nephrology Service at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital provides diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for a wide range of congenital and acquired conditions affecting the kidneys and urinary system in newborns, children, and adolescents.
The service also provides nephrology consultations to all pediatric departments and specialty clinics, as well as to obstetric services when prenatal ultrasound raises suspicion of a congenital urinary tract abnormality. Long-term kidney and urinary system health is also monitored in children born prematurely.
The service works closely with the Pediatric Urology Unit and Pediatric Imaging Unit at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital, as well as with the Nephrology Institute at Schneider Children’s Medical Center.
Medical Conditions Treated by the Pediatric Nephrology Service
The Pediatric Nephrology Service provides diagnosis, treatment, and long-term follow-up for a wide range of kidney and urinary tract conditions, including:
- Congenital urinary tract abnormalities – Diagnosis and follow-up of congenital malformations of the kidneys and urinary tract, including prenatal consultation when abnormalities are detected on ultrasound.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – Evaluation and treatment of recurrent infections, including investigation of structural and behavioral causes.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) – Diagnosis, treatment, nutritional guidance, and ongoing monitoring.
- Kidney, bladder, and urinary tract stones – Evaluation of metabolic and structural causes, treatment, and prevention of recurrence.
- Glomerulonephritis – Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory kidney diseases.
- Nephrotic syndrome – Diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases that cause significant protein loss in the urine.
- Secondary kidney disease associated with chronic conditions – Monitoring and treatment of kidney complications related to chronic diseases and their treatments.
- Kidney monitoring in pediatric oncology patients – Follow-up during and after cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow/stem cell transplantation, and kidney removal.
- Chronic kidney disease (chronic renal failure) – Treatment and monitoring aimed at preserving kidney function, including preparation for dialysis or kidney transplantation when required.
- Acute kidney injury (acute renal failure) – Treatment and long-term follow-up to monitor kidney function and possible complications.
- Neurogenic bladder – Management and guidance for children with impaired bladder function, in collaboration with Pediatric Urology.
- Nephrology follow-up for premature infants – Monitoring kidney development and function in children born prematurely.
Pediatric Nephrology Follow-Up Clinic
This service evaluates and monitors the maturation of preterm infants, children, and adolescents who were born before the 37th week of pregnancy
Nephrology Follow-Up Clinic for Preterm Infants
The Nephrology Follow-Up Clinic for Preterm Infants provides care for infants, children, and adolescents born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, as well as children with a birth weight below 2,500 grams, particularly those born weighing less than 1,500 grams. Follow-up is also provided for full-term infants who experienced significant birth asphyxia or were diagnosed with kidney dysfunction, even if temporary.
The clinic’s multidisciplinary team specializes in the potential long-term effects of prematurity on kidney health and includes pediatric nephrologists, a dietitian specializing in pediatric nephrology, a psychologist, and a social worker.
Families are advised to bring a referral letter from the child’s physician, including information about medical conditions, current treatments and follow-up care, as well as growth records from the Tipat Halav (Maternal and Child Health Clinic).