After your child has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure, he/she will be seen at regular intervals in the outpatient clinic.
Height, weight and blood pressure will be checked at the clinic. The nephrologist uses these results along with urine and blood tests to see how the kidneys are working.
A sample of urine will be required for testing and the build up of waste in the blood needs to be checked by blood tests. Naturally many children (and adults) are worried about needles, so, whenever possible a special cream is used which can help numb the skin where the needle is going to be placed. The cream needs to be put on before the blood test is taken.
Play preparation, stories and other methods can be used to prepare your child for any tests. Please ask the nursing or unit staff for advice or other information.
Occasionally your child may need to be admitted to the ward for a short stay in order to carry out more specialised tests. These may include:
Another x-ray used is to look at your child’s bones (usually hands and wrists) to see how they are growing.
NKF Controlled Document No. 166, Your Child & Chronic Renal Failure — An introductory manual for families — What are kidney investigations?, written 12 June 2004.
Content compiled by members of the Children’s Renal & Urology Unit, QMC, Nottingham.
The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.
Page created: 12 June 2004
Last updated: 15 August 2007
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