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Pediatric nephrologists specialize in diagnosing and treating kidney disorders in infants, children, and adolescents. They use their knowledge of human development to accurately determine the cause of physical symptoms and may prescribe medications, perform dialysis procedures, or recommend surgery. Pediatric patients are referred to nephrologists by their primary care physicians, and after testing, a diagnosis is made. Pediatric nephrologists must make their young patients feel comfortable during testing and treatment. Becoming a pediatric nephrologist requires at least 12 years of university and practical residency programs.
A pediatric nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders related to the kidneys in infants, children and adolescents. Specialty professionals use their knowledge of human development to accurately determine the cause of various physical symptoms. Depending on the patients’ specific problems, nephrologists may prescribe medications, perform dialysis procedures, or recommend surgery. Most pediatric nephrologists work in general or private practices, but some physicians are full-time employees of children’s hospitals, clinics and teaching centers.
In most cases, pediatric patients are referred to nephrologists by their primary care physicians when kidney problems are suspected. With the help of nurses and aides, a pediatric nephrologist can evaluate a new patient by studying their medical and family history, performing a physical exam, and ordering a series of tests. A doctor may, for example, decide to take blood and urine samples to check for abnormal levels of minerals or white blood cells. X-rays and other types of imaging tests are often used to look for birth defects, swelling, and obstructions.
After the test is complete, a pediatric nephrologist can diagnose one of several possible kidney disorders. The most common problems discovered in pediatric patients include inherited kidney disease, kidney stones and the spread of urinary tract infections. Pediatric nephrologists understand that these conditions can cause different symptoms and complications in children than in adults and make informed treatment decisions based on the age and general health of their patients.
Young patients can be scared or confused during testing and treatment, and it is up to the pediatric nephrologist to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Most professionals are very friendly, patient and able to explain procedures in words that children can understand. By alleviating patients’ anxiety, nephrologists often have an easier time performing tests and gathering important information about their symptoms.
A person interested in becoming a pediatric nephrologist usually needs to spend at least 12 years in university and practical residency programs before gaining a license. After earning a doctor of medicine from an accredited school, a new physician typically enters a three- to four-year residency in pediatrics at a children’s hospital. A one- to two-year fellowship dedicated to pediatric nephrology follows a residency, during which a physician diagnoses and treats patients under the supervision of experienced specialists. By completing training and passing an extensive board certification exam, a pediatric nephrologist earns the right to begin working independently.
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