Nephrology

Riley Hospital for Children Nephrology at IU Health

Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health provides the state's only comprehensive evaluation and treatment services for children with kidney disease or kidney failure. Our pediatric nephrologist, urologists and dialysis nurses work together to provide highly specialized and expert care.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Our services include renal biopsies to diagnose kidney disorders, acute hemodialysis (kidney machines) and peritoneal dialysis for patients with acute kidney failure or poisonings, and chronic hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for children in permanent kidney failure. Chronic hemodialysis is provided through traditional kidney machines in the Riley Hospital for Children Dialysis Center at IU Health. Training for chronic continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) is available to allow the child to be cared for at home.

The Newest Hemodialysis Technology

The Riley Dialysis Center at IU Health also offers a new form of dialysis called continuous veno-venous hemofiltration or CVVH. Our nephrology team has adapted this technology, which has been used with great success in adults, to provide better care for critically ill children with sudden onset kidney failure.

A Leader in Kidney Transplantation

Since 1961, IU Health has led the state in organ transplantation. Kidney transplants are one of the seven organ transplantation programs available at IU Health for both adults and children. Overall, more than one thousand kidney transplants have been performed at IU Health and our pediatric nephrologists work as a team with our surgical specialists before and after the transplant operation. Some of the conditions and diseases evaluated and treated by our pediatric nephrologists include the following:

  • Acute and chronic kidney failure
  • Blood in the urine
  • Protein in the urine
  • High blood pressure
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Structural abnormalities of the kidneys and lower urinary tract
  • Kidney Stones
  • Bedwetting
  • Poisoning which can be treated by hemodialysis

For more Information:

We cooperate with primary care physicians and adult nephrologists throughout Indiana to provide continuing care, both at IU Health and within the family's home community, for children with kidney problems. We encourage families who suspect a problem to first see their pediatrician or family physician for evaluation. For more information about our services, or to arrange for a consultation or referral, please call 317.274.2563 or fax 317.278.3599.

US News & World Report - Best Children's Hospitals for Nephrology