Before Paediatrics emerged as a distinct discipline, children were often treated as “small adults,” receiving scaled-down versions of adult medications rather than specialized care tailored to their unique physiology. Recognizing this critical gap, the visionary Late Dr. Hargovind Laxmishankar Trivedi (Padma Shri Awardee), Founder Director of IKDRC-ITS and GUTS, laid the foundation of a dedicated Division of Paediatric Nephrology in the early years of the Institute. What began as a pioneering initiative has now evolved into a full-fledged Department of Paediatric Nephrology, firmly established as a leader in the field.
Today, the department functions within a globally renowned teaching hospital, which has grown from a 450-bedded facility to an 800-bedded tertiary care centre. A team of highly trained paediatric nephrologists provides comprehensive care to more than 20,000 children annually in the outpatient department and manages around 2,500 inpatient admissions each year.
The department serves as a referral hub for children across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and neighbouring states, offering specialized evaluation and treatment for the entire spectrum of kidney disorders in children under 18 years. These include:
Nephrotic syndrome and other glomerular disorders.
Tubular and metabolic disorders.
Urinary tract infections (UTI).
Urolithiasis (kidney stones).
Cystic and genetic kidney diseases.
Acute kidney injury (AKI).
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Dialysis therapies (haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis).
Paediatric kidney transplantation.
Through its commitment to excellence in clinical care, teaching, and research, the Department of Paediatric Nephrology and Transplantation has established itself as a center of excellence for children with kidney diseases, providing hope and advanced treatment to patients from diverse and often underserved regions.
The Department of Paediatric Nephrology provides outpatient consultation four days a week, along with specialized clinics to ensure focused, protocol-based care:
| Tuesday | Nephro-urology OPD |
|---|---|
| Friday | Nephrology OPD |
| Monday and Thursday | CKD OPD Transplant OPD |
| Last Monday of each month | CAPD OPD |
| Last Thursday of each month | Neurogenic bladder/bladder OPD |
| 1 st Tuesday of each month | Tubular disorder OPD |
| Last Tuesday of each month | Genetics Clinic |
The Institute houses a 50-bed dedicated Paediatric Nephrology ward, staffed by a team of specialized pediatric nurses. The wards are designed to be child-friendly, ensuring a comfortable and supportive environment. The unit provides advanced care for:
Acute kidney injury (AKI).
Nephro-urological disorders.
Complex kidney conditions.
With in-house facilities for real-time ultrasound-guided kidney biopsy, even in infants and young children, the unit is equipped for precise diagnosis and management. A wide range of procedures are routinely and successfully performed, including:
Peritoneal dialysis.
Temporary hemodialysis catheter insertion.
Permanent hemodialysis catheter insertion.
A dedicated 13-bed Paediatric Hemodialysis Unit offers specialized care for children with end-stage kidney disease (ESRD), staffed by trained pediatric dialysis technicians. The unit provides the full spectrum of dialysis modalities, including:
Conventional hemodialysis.
Hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration.
SLED (Sustained Low-Efficiency Dialysis).
SCUF (Slow Continuous Ultrafiltration).
CKRT (Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy).
Acute peritoneal dialysis.
Neonatal peritoneal dialysis.
CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis).
APD (Automated Peritoneal Dialysis).
Our Institute is recognized as one of the largest paediatric kidney transplant centers in the world, performing 40–50 paediatric kidney transplants annually. The program encompasses:
Comprehensive pre-transplant evaluation.
Immunological risk assessment.
Perioperative management.
Structured post-transplant follow-up.
On average, 15-20 living-related kidney transplants are performed annually, with excellent outcomes.
We run the largest paediatric deceased donor kidney transplant program in India, under the aegis of Gujarat State Organ and Tissue Transplantation Organization, benefitting 20–25 children with CKD from Gujarat every year.
Through collaborations with renowned international experts, the department has developed expertise in managing high-risk and challenging cases, including:
Sensitized and highly sensitized recipients.
Second paediatric kidney transplants.
ABO-incompatible kidney transplants.
Combined Kidney Liver Transplantation.
Early Steroid Withdrawal Kidney Transplantation.
