Pediatric Nephrology

Clinical Nephrology

The kidneys are vital for life with their complex network of blood vessels and intricate network of tubes and tubules that filter blood of its waste products and excess water.The kidneys maintain the fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base regulation that are altered by several disease conditions as well as drugs and toxins. Nephrology(from Greek νεφρÏŒς nephros "kidney", combined with the suffix -logy, "the study of") is a specialty of medicine and pediatrics that concerns itself with the study of normal kidneyfunction , kidney problems, the treatment of kidney problems and renal replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney transplantation). Nephrology deals with study of the normal working of the kidneys as well as its diseases. The diseases that come under the scope of nephrology include:-

Glomerular disorders that affect the tiny filtering systems of the kidneys called the glomerulus, Urine abnormalities such as excess excretion of protein, sugar, blood, casts, crystals etc.Tubulointerstitial diseases affecting the tubules in the kidneys, Renal vascular diseases affecting the blood vessel networks within the kidneys, Kidney failure that can be sudden or acute or long term or chronic, Kidney and bladder stones, Kidney infections, Cancers of the kidneys, bladder, and urethra, Effects of diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure on kidneys, Acid base imbalances, Nephroticsyndrome  and nephritis, Ill effects of drugs and toxins on the kidneys, Dialysis and its long term complications - dialysis includes hemodialysis as well as peritoneal dialysis, Autoimmune diseases including autoimmune vasculitis, lupus, etc. Polycystic kidneys diseases where large cysts or fluid filled sacs are formed within the kidney impairing its functions - this is a congenital and inherited or genetic condition.