Nephrology

A message from our division chief

The kidneys are small yet mighty organs with a tremendous impact on overall health. Our division is dedicated to supporting every aspect of pediatric nephrology care, from the laboratory bench to the patients’ bedside.

As home to one of the country’s largest pediatric dialysis programs, we strive to create an attentive, welcoming environment for our patients and families by embracing a multidisciplinary approach. Our team of specialized nurses, social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, psychologists, music therapists and Child Life specialists collaborate to create a positive experience for the patients in our care multiple hours each week.

With multiple National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research projects and internal grants from UT Southwestern underway, physicians within the division are in constant pursuit of advancing the scientific field, working toward better treatments and seeking long-term cures. These include looking into the impact of fibroblast growth factor 23 on morbidity and mortality of patients with kidney disease, as well as how tools in developmental nephrology can improve the understanding of Wilms tumor biology.

Looking ahead to the future of pediatric Nephrology at Children’s Health, we are excited to continue developing our Acute Care Nephrology Program for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) patients as well as a joint cardiorenal program with our colleagues in The Heart Center. By transforming the discoveries from our clinical investigations into leading-edge treatments for our patients, we are continually motivated by our shared mission to make life better for children.

Jyothsna Gattineni, M.D.

OUTCOMES

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Innovations in pediatric nephrology: 2024 year in review

This past year, the Nephrology department at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, part of Children’s Health, has led innovations transforming pediatric nephrology care. In partnership with UT Southwestern, we’re proud to share these advancements – which highlight our ongoing mission to make life better for children. Through groundbreaking clinical trials, new treatments and pioneering programs – we continue to be recognized among the nation’s best children’s hospitals.

Read about our latest innovations in pediatric nephrology below:

Comprehensive renal testing informs care for better outcomes

Hydration, growth spurts and bone density can impact renal test results and overall kidney function. At Children’s Health, Glofil tests and DEXA scans are used to accurately measure renal function. These tests inform personalized treatment plans and help physicians avoid unnecessary interventions.

Podcast: Identifying acetaminophen-induced metabolic acidosis

Physicians are aware of acetaminophen overdose, but many don’t realize that therapeutic levels of acetaminophen can cause problems for some at-risk patients. Acetaminophen-induced acidosis is a rare and significantly underdiagnosed condition. Children with risk factors such as malnutrition, infection, kidney failure or liver failure are more susceptible. In this podcast episode, learn how pyroglutamic acidosis can occur with acetaminophen administration and what signs to look for to prevent metabolic acidosis.

Discover more advancements in pediatric nephrology at Children’s Health.