Kidney cysts in children
It’s stressful to learn that your child has a chronic condition like polycystic kidney disease. You’re doing everything right by asking us for expert opinions about your child’s care. Why? Because our children's kidney program has repeatedly been recognized as one of the best in the U.S. Our team will work with you and your child to manage symptoms of polycystic kidney disease as well as slow the decline of kidney function.
Polycystic kidney disease is when kidney cysts form on both kidneys. These fluid-filled pouches replace normal tissue and progressively diminish kidney function. Polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited disease in the U.S. Symptoms can include headache, backache and blood in the urine. Fifty percent of patients with this condition will have end-stage kidney failure between the ages of 50 and 60, requiring a kidney transplant.
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Our experienced pediatric doctors and specialists are ready to serve you and your family.
Treatment options
What options are available when your child has kidney cysts and the diagnosis is polycystic kidney disease? Treatment usually begins with medication to control blood pressure and slow the progression of the disease. But polycystic kidney disease can get worse over time, and may lead to kidney failure, so we also offer complete dialysis services for your child. Down the road, if a transplant is needed, you can take comfort in knowing our surgeons are among the most skilled professionals in West Michigan.
Because high blood pressure can worsen polycystic kidney disease symptoms, medicine may be prescribed to manage blood pressure.
Hemodialysis uses a machine to filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. The procedure is usually done in a dialysis center, three or more times a week. Peritoneal dialysis is more commonly used for children.
Peritoneal dialysis is more convenient than hemodialysis. It uses the body's peritoneal membrane to filter the blood continuously from home, during the day or at night.
The non-functioning kidney is replaced with a healthy kidney, from a living donor or through an organ bank. We've had the reward of seeing dozens of Michigan youngsters get a new lease on life, thanks to kidney transplant. Our pediatric kidney transplant program has also been nationally recognized for our steroid avoidance protocol for children with new transplants.
After transplant surgery, immunosuppressant medicine is needed to prevent infection and reduce the chance of your child's body rejecting the new kidney.
Schedule Follow-ups in MyChart
Schedule your child’s follow-up appointment at our Grand Rapids clinic through your MyChart account.