Pediatric Nephrology

The Pediatric Nephrology Service of Walter Reed Bethesda and National Capital Region offers outpatient and inpatient evaluation & management of infants, children, and adolescents with complex conditions involving the kidneys and urinary tract, as well as the evaluation of hypertension and elevated blood pressure. The service has the widest geographic range of any subspecialty service at Walter Reed Bethesda, with clinic locations close to where you live at Fort Belvoir, the Naval Academy, Joint Base Andrews, Fort Meade, and Bethesda. The Pediatric Nephrology service also offers 24/7 telephonic and video consultation to patients and providers world-wide.

Our team of pediatric nephrologists provide evaluation and treatment of:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs), including UTIs due to vesicoureteral reflux, complex urologic conditions, and dysfunctional voiding
• Solitary or single-functioning kidneys
• Nephrotic Syndrome including minimal change, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and other causes
• Proteinuria (protein in the urine)
• Hematuria (blood in the urine)
• Kidney positional anomalies including pelvic kidneys, horseshoe kidneys, and cross-fused ectopia
• Lupus nephritis and renal involvement of systemic rheumatologic disease such as Wegener's (Multidisciplinary Lupus Clinic available monthly)
• Hypertension and elevated blood pressure
• Kidney stones and nephrocalcinosis in infants, children, and teens, including stones caused by hypercalciuria and cystinuria
• Glomerulonephritis (GN), including post-infectious/post-streptococcal, IgA nephropathy, and membranoproliferative GN
• Disorders of sodium and water balance including hypernatremia, hyponatremia, the syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH), diabetes insipidus, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
• Disorders of the renal tubule, including Fanconi syndrome, Renal Tubular Acidosis, Cystinosis, Gitelman's & Bartter's Syndrome, and Dent's Disease
• Acute renal failure
• Chronic renal insufficiency (Chronic Kidney Disease), including complications such as anemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, hyperkalemia, acid-base disorders, and short stature
• Disorders of potassium balance
• Enuresis, including Primary Nocturnal Enuresis and Dysfunctional Voiding
• Antenatal pelviectasis and hydronephrosis, including hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction and posterior urethral valves
• Cystic Kidney Disease, including Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), Autosomal Recessive PKD , multicystic dysplastic kidney, medullary cystic disease, medullary sponge kidney, and simple cysts
• Renal transplant recipient management
• Fitness for military service and for entry into service academies when a candidate has a history of blood pressure, urologic, or renal issues

Procedures provided are percutaneous renal biopsy, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, post-operative management of pediatric renal transplantation, and acute peritoneal and hemodialysis.

Patient Handouts and Educational Materials

• Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
• Preparation for a Kidney Biopsy
• Preparation for a Renal Cortical or Renal Lasix Scan
• Recommended Diet for Children with Kidney Stones
• Children with a Single Kidney
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Nephrotic Syndrome Initial Management & Monitoring
• Renal Transplant Monitoring
• Voiding Regimen for Children with Dysfunctional Elimination
• Vesicoureteral Reflux
• Twenty-four Hour Uirne Collection Analyzer
• DASH Diet for Hypertension