Sep 2021 - Ballito Umhlanga

Kidney disease in children
As a specialist in the treatment of urinary tract and kidney diseases in
babies, children and adolescents, paediatric nephrologist Dr Rashinta
Moodley sheds some light on kidney disease in children.
“Due to developmental problems during pregnancy, many babies can be born
with kidney and urinary tract abnormalities. Nephrotic syndrome is common in
children- this is a condition where large quantities of protein are lost in the urine.
There can also be obstructions in the urinary tract. Infections can also affect the
kidney resulting usually in temporary loss of function. Any progression of these
conditions can lead to chronic kidney failure.”
Dr Moodley says the warning signs are decreased amount of urine passed,
swelling of the face and body, recurring urinary tract infections, blood in the
urine, and incontinence.
“Treatments depend on the cause of the kidney disease, example, Nephrotic
syndrome is treated with intravenous protein replacement and steroids, but
often stronger immunosuppressants are needed. Obstructive/developmental
abnormalities of the urinary system may require surgical intervention. Kidney
disease can progress to kidney failure, at which point dialysis and transplantation
will be necessary. Depending on the child’s condition and response to treatment
or surgery, the prognosis can be very good. However, once the patient has
renal failure, the prognosis depends on the success of dialysis and kidney
transplantation.”
Dr Moodley says she strives to treat a child with the fewest number of drugs
and manage their kidney condition for as long as possible before resorting to
dialysis. “It is rewarding to see a child in remission, with minimal side effects, and
it is especially satisfying to find a live, related donor and achieve a successful
transplant. Parents are often willing to donate a kidney to their child (an adult’s
kidney can be transplanted into an infant as long as the clinical and donor
matching criteria are met) but if the parent or other family members are not
suitable donors, the child may have a long wait before a cadaver organ is
available.”Dr Moodley has been in private practice since 2015 and is currently
consulting at Life Entabeni Hospital, Life Mt Edgecombe Hospital and The
Gateway Private Hospital. She can also admit patients to Netcare Umhlanga
Hospital and Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital.
Details: moodleypaed@telkomsa.net,
durban-paediatrician.co.za, 031 261
4767 / 031-537-4125 / 031-502-3142