Nephrology

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Kidneys

You may have been told that your child has a problem with a kidney, or that he or she needs additional care from a specialist in children’s kidney disorders.

A pediatric nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in kidney disorders in babies, children and adolescents. Unlike adults, children are still growing, so it’s important to see someone with special training and expertise in pediatric kidney and urinary problems. University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is home to the most comprehensive kidney treatment program in the state, including the only Pediatric Dialysis Center, which opened in September, 2010.

Our service offers evaluation and management of kidney disorders, including:

  • Abnormalities of the bladder and kidneys
  • Prenatal kidney counseling
  • Genetic disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney stones
  • Glomerulonephritis (inflammation), including lupus
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Blood or protein in the urine
  • Bladder or kidney infections
  • Rare kidney diseases (atypical HUS and dense deposit disease)
  • Acute kidney injury
  • Chronic kidney disease

Our services include:

  • Kidney dialysis
    • Hemodialysis: The process of circulating blood through an artificial kidney to remove extra fluid and filter waster products.
    • Peritoneal dialysis: A form of dialysis in which a special fluid is passed in and out of the abdomen to remove extra fluid and filter waste products 
  • Kidney transplant
  • Kidney biopsy
  • Prenatal consultation for kidney or bladder abnormalities
  • Electrolyte (salts)/fluid management

UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital offers both inpatient and outpatient pediatric dialysis services, including center or home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The Pediatric Dialysis Center is designed to meet the needs of children of all ages.

Support Groups

Comfort4Kidneys Support Group

Our UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital kidney support group provides a supportive environment and helps patients and their families adjust to living with chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, or a kidney transplant.

If you would like to get involved, contact us at 1-319-356-7249 .

Patient Stories

  • Parent Blog: Megan Herrig

    Hallie Herrig, photo "The staff treated our twin girls and the rest of our family with compassion. We were always informed of what was going on with our girls’ care." – Megan Read more

  • Parent Blog: Hannah Kooi

    Colt Kooi, photo "We received wonderful care from all of our doctors and nurses. There is nowhere else we would have wanted to deliver and have Colt cared for." – Hannah Read more

  • Parent Blog: Tara Von Ahsen

    Nolan Von Ahsen, photo “They see you at your most vulnerable moments, when you’re crying, scared, nervous, AND happy. They don’t HAVE to, but they go above and beyond to show they care.” Tara’s son Nolan was born with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, a rare genetic syndrome. Read more

  • Parent Blog: Amanda McMillin

    Eilidh McMillin, photo "Due to severe oligohydramnios – a deficiency in amniotic fluid – and fetal kidney abnormalities, specialists at other hospitals had informed us that she was unlikely to survive to her birth and, if born alive, that there was an even smaller possibility that she would live more than minutes to hours." – Amanda McMillin Read more

  • Harper Still

    Harper Still, portrait Harper was admitted to a Des Moines hospital in May 2017 with bloody stools and vomiting. She was diagnosed with E. coli, and when her condition still wouldn’t improve after four days, doctors determined that Harper’s E. coli had turned into E. coli with shiga toxin, producing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).Read more
View all related Patient Stories

Locations and Contact

  • UI Stead Family Children's Hospital
    2400 Colloton Pavilion
    200 Hawkins Drive
    Iowa City, Iowa 52242
    In House Directions: UI Stead Family Children's Hospital public elevator, Level 2
    Hours
    • Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Contact
    • 1-855-543-2884 (855 KID AT UI)
    • 1-319-356-1616 (Emergency)
  • UI Stead Family Children's Hospital–Quad Cities
    Suite 400
    865 Lincoln Road
    Bettendorf, Iowa 52722
    Contact
    • 1-855-543-2884 (855 KID AT UI)
  • University of Iowa Health Care–Cedar Falls
    2624 Orchard Drive
    Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
    Contact
    • 1-855-543-2884
  • University of Iowa Health Care—Johnston
    8605 Chambery Blvd
    Johnston, Iowa 50131
    Contact
    • 1-855-543-2884 (855 KID AT UI)
  • Blank Children's Hospital
    1200 Pleasant Street
    Des Moines, Iowa 50309
    Contact
    • 1-515-241-6431

Care Team

Physicians

Nurse Practitioners