Pediatric nephrology

• Acute and chronic kidney diseases, acquired or congenital.
• Kidney and/or urinary tract malformations.
• Urinary infections.
• Bladder dysfunction: urinary incontinence and nocturnal enuresis.
• Arterial hypertension.
• Hyperlipidemia and familial hypercholesterolemia.

Pediatric nephrology also cares for children who have received renal transplantation and regular immunosuppressive therapy checks. These checks are performed in collaboration with a university center.

Diagnosis

If urinary system disease is suspected, the following diagnostic tests can be performed:

• Bloodsampling.
• Measurement of renal function.
• Urinalysis.
• Sonography and urinary cystography (in collaboration with pediatric radiology).
• Urodynamic examinations (in collaboration with pediatric surgery).
• 24-hour blood pressure measurement.
• Renal biopsy: renal tissue sampling (in collaboration with a university center).

Treatments

Treatments for the treatment of pediatric kidney disease include pharmacological (immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, antihypertensives, diuretics), dietary, and surgical therapies.

In addition, artificial renal function replacement therapies are performed, which aim to purify the blood of waste substances and remove any excess fluid:

• Peritoneal dialysis: preferred methodology for children and adolescents, is performed at night so that the child or youth is completely free and independent during the day.
• Hemodialysis: a method that filters blood by means of a dialysis machine that can remove toxins and fluids that the kidneys can no longer remove; the treatment lasts 3-4 hours and is usually performed 3 times a week.

Pediatric dialysis treatments are performed in collaboration with a university pediatric center that precisely coordinates the therapy.

Collaborations

Pediatric nephrology collaborates with the university pediatric nephrology unit atInselspital in Bern. It also works in the area of renal and urologic malformations in close contact with pediatric surgery and with pediatric cardiology regarding hypertension.

Useful information for patients

Consultations are arranged with one's primary care physician who sends us a consultation request.

Over the phone or in writing, it is exactly explained whether it is necessary to present fasting for blood tests, whether it is necessary to present with a full bladder for sonography or urodynamics examination.

Pediatric nephrology activity is mainly outpatient, however, inpatients are also managed, together with the department managers.