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: Tara Von Ahsen

    Nolan Von Ahsen, photo "This hospital is more than just a place to go when one is sick. It's a place to go with the most caring, loving, understanding staff I have ever met." – Tara Von Ahsen 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

  • Christopher Turnis

    Christopher Turnis, portrait Christopher was born at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital at 34 weeks gestation with several organs that were severely damaged. The first of many surgeries took place when he was just 2 weeks old. Since birth, Christopher has undergone more than 40 surgeries and has spent more than 1,000 nights in the hospital.Read more

  • Parent Blog: Kendra Mennen

    Heather Mennen, portrait Heather was referred to University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital with a distended abdomen when she was about 8 months old. 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