CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN CHILDREN AND ITS MANAGEMENT
The Hindu
Kidney transplantation in children.. A Ray of Hope….
The kidneys help filter and remove waste, minerals and fluid from the blood by producing urine. When kidneys lose their function, harmful levels of fluid and waste accumulate in the body. End-stage renal disease occurs when kidneys lose about 90% of their normal function.
Children with Cystic dysplastic kidneys, Polycystic kidneys, Hereditary kidney diseases and chronic glomerular, tubular diseases develop Chronic kidney disease(CKD),which is irreversible. They require either Dialysis support or Kidney transplantation for survival.
A low salt, less oily diet, with restricted non-vegetarian food is recommended. Medication is prescribed to control blood pressure. Calcium and bicarbonate supplements are advised in addition to Erythropoetin and Growth hormone injections to tackle anemia and growth. Children with CKD require dialysis support or kidney transplantation for survival.
There are two forms of dialysis: Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis. In Hemodialysis, the blood is purified outside the body through a Hemodialysis machine. 2-4 hours dialysis sessions are required 2-3 times a week. Peritoneal dialysis uses the body’s own peritoneal membrane to filter the blood.
Nearly all children with end-stage kidney disease will eventually require kidney transplantation
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly.
Compared to dialysis, kidney transplant is associated with: