Nephrology Programs & Services Connecticut Children’s has several specialized nephrology programs that provide diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for children of all ages with common and complex kidney disorders. Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Program An expert team of physicians, surgeons, nurses, nutritionists and social workers with experience in all aspects of chronic kidney disease, including hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation provides coordinated care to children with end-stage renal disease and to those in need of a kidney transplant. The Kidney Transplant Program at Connecticut Children’s is extremely successful and a regional leader in pediatric kidney transplantation. Learn more about our kidney transplant program > Children and adolescents with renal disease often need dialysis on their path to kidney transplant. The state-of-the-art Robert R. Rosenheim Foundation Dialysis Center offers our patients tailored treatment plans and a highly specialized care team comprised of pediatric dialysis nurses, a nephrology specific nutritionist, social services, child-life specialists and even a teacher. General Renal Consultation Program Connecticut Children’s specialists provide consultation and coordinated treatment for patients with a broad spectrum of general renal conditions, including nephrotic syndrome, acute or chronic nephritis, fluid and electrolyte disorders, metabolic and inherited renal disease, urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux, and structural or developmental renal anomalies. Kidney Stone Program Connecticut Children’s Kidney Stone Program provides a full range of diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic innovations for children and adolescents affected by kidney stones, including those who’ve had them previously and those who are at risk for developing them. We provide advanced evaluation and treatment of kidney stones and actively work to reduce the rate of their reoccurrence through dietary changes or medications. Kidney stones are small, hard deposits of mineral and acid salts that form inside the kidneys or ureter (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder). These stones can block the drainage of urine and cause pain. Our multidisciplinary program brings together pediatric nephrologists, urologists and nurses to help treat and manage children with stones. Treatment typically involves noninvasive or minimally invasive surgery, while more complex cases may require the use of robotic surgery techniques to remove the stones. After treatment, nephrology specialists perform blood and urine analysis to look for any abnormalities that could be potential causes for the stones. Posterior Urethral Valve (PUV) Program Connecticut Children’s PUV Program is a multidisciplinary effort that combines the expertise of nephrology and urology to address the unique needs of children with PUV and chronic kidney disease. PUV is the most common cause of severe types of urinary tract obstruction. It is thought to develop in the early stages of fetal development, and the abnormality affects boys only in about one in 8,000 births. Our nutrition and family support teams are essential to providing this level of specialized care. Nutrition Connecticut Children’s nephrology team includes dedicated registered dietitians who specialize in nutrition therapy for infants, children and adolescents affected by a range of kidney disorders as a result of disease or injury. Our advanced trained registered dietitians evaluate, assess and develop nutrition care plans to help treat an array of kidney conditions including: Chronic kidney disease Diabetic nephropathy Fanconi syndrome Hematuria Horseshoe kidney Hypertension Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) Proteinuria Renal dysplasia Single kidney VATER association In addition, our registered dietitians manage nutrition care for children affected by urologic and rheumatic conditions, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and nephritic and nephritic syndrome. Family Support Services Medical social workers, also known as family support clinicians, assess the bio-psychosocial (biological, psychological and social) functioning of patients and their families and provide support and guidance as necessary. The social workers within the Division of Nephroloy offer coping strategies and resources that may include connecting patients and families to necessary resources, supportive counseling, grief counseling, and helping a patient and family to expand and strengthen their network of social supports. Our dedicated family support clinicians may assist with: Patient and family education New diagnosis support Adjustment to chronic illness Parenting and care-giving concerns Support during all phases of the transplantation process Adjustment to daily life with dialysis
