KIDNEYS are important to maintain homeostasis, meaning constancy of the internal environment of the body. When the kidneys fail perform this task, it leads to kidney failure. “The waste products excreted by the kidney are accumulated in the body, causing debilitating effect on the body,” explains Dr kishore phadke.

The failure can be acute (temporary) kidney failure or chronic (permanent) kidney failure. Loose motion followed by dehydration or a serious infection in a child can contribute to the kidneys shutting down. The may require dialysis temporarily to help recovery of kidney function.” In a tertiary centre like ours, we see eight to 10 cases per month. One fourth of the children admitted to intensive care units may develop kidney failure. But they are treatable and reversible,” says Dr Arpana lyengar.

Phadke says if the acute kidney failure does not improve within one to three months, it leads to chronic kidney disease where the child will need to be on regular medications.

Chronic kidney disease is silent in initial stages. However, there may be subtle signs like stunted body growth, bone deformities, unexplained anaemia or high blood pressure. Severe forms of chronic kidney disease may need dialysis (artificial kidney) or kidney transplantations.

“An adult kidney can be safely implanted into the child’s body and the child can grow well and lead a near normal life,” says phadke.

A case in point is Sanket, a pre university student who underwent a renal transplantation in 2001. His problems started when he was a class 3 student, with recurring headaches and swelling on the face. His problem was traced to an obstruction in the urinary system. His only kidney had failed by the time his problem was detected and he was advised transplantation, “My uncle donated a kidney as my mother had high blood pressure and my father was diabetic.”says Sanket who won a gold medal in athletics in the All -India Transplant Games in 2003 and 2004. He dreams of being nothing less than a nephrologist!