A pediatric nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in treating kidney and urinary tract problems in children. This includes conditions like high blood pressure, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and problems with how the kidneys grow or work.

Your child may need to see a nephrologist if they have symptoms such as swelling, blood in the urine, frequent urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, or abnormal lab results related to kidney function. Your pediatrician may also refer you for concerns like slow growth, inherited kidney conditions, or problems seen on imaging tests.

To help us provide the best care for your child, please bring a current list of their medications, any recent lab results (if available), and a record of their blood pressure readings if you’ve been monitoring them at home. Be ready to share your child’s medical history, any symptoms you’ve noticed, and any questions or concerns you’d like to discuss. If lab work or blood pressure checks are planned, keeping your child hydrated and limiting caffeine before the visit may be helpful.

Your child’s pediatric nephrologist will review their medical history, talk with you and your child about symptoms, and go over any previous test results. Additional testing—such as urine analysis, blood work, or imaging—may be recommended to better understand your child’s kidney health. You’ll receive personalized guidance on next steps, which may include lifestyle changes, medications, or follow-up appointments to monitor progress.

If your child needs to see a pediatric nephrologist, ask their primary care provider or specialist to send a referral to UTMB Pediatric Nephrology. Referrals can be submitted through UTMB’s provider referral system or by calling the clinic directly. If you have questions about the referral process, feel free to contact our office—we’re happy to help guide you through it.