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Nephrologic issues in children with developmental disabilities

Timothy E Bunchman1

  • 1Pediatric Nephrology, Dialysis, and Transplantation, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, 221 Michigan Street Northeast, Suite 406, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. timothy.bunchman@devoschildrens.org

Pediatric Clinics of North America
|December 2, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Children with developmental disabilities (DD) may face kidney issues like stones and infections. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children can lead to developmental disabilities due to health complications. This review examines both from a nephrology perspective.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Renal Medicine

Background:

  • Children with developmental disabilities (DD) exhibit increased risks for renal manifestations.
  • These include conditions such as renal stones, hypertension, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
  • Conversely, pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a higher incidence of DD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the nephrologic implications in children with developmental disabilities.
  • To examine the impact of chronic kidney disease on the development of disabilities in children.
  • To provide a comprehensive nephrologic viewpoint on the interplay between DD and CKD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pediatric nephrology and developmental pediatrics.
  • Analysis of common renal manifestations in children with DD.
  • Examination of CKD-related factors contributing to DD in pediatric populations.

Main Results:

  • Children with DD are prone to specific renal issues: stones, hypertension, UTIs.
  • Pediatric CKD presents challenges like malnutrition and metabolic derangements, increasing DD risk.
  • The relationship between DD and CKD is bidirectional and complex.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the nephrologic aspects is crucial for managing children with DD.
  • Addressing CKD complications is vital to mitigate DD in affected children.
  • This review highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary nephrologic approach for these vulnerable children.

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