Pediatric Nephrology is a highly specialised branch that deals with kidney problems in children. While a large proportion of kidney problems in children cause acute (immediate) problems (e.g. Nephrotic syndrome, Acute kidney failure, Urinary tract infection etc), some conditions lead to progressive kidney damage so that in the long term, the kidney function suffers (and may ultimately lead to dialysis and transplantation) even though there may be minimal or no symptoms in the acute stage (e.g Chronic Irreversible Kidney Failure, Urinary Tract Iinfections, Blood in the Urine, Heavy Protein in the Urine, Renal Dysplasia, Kidney Stones etc).

Kidney problems in children are vastly different from kidney problems in adults necessitating specialised care and proper interpretation. For e.g. serum creatinine (blood test) values in children are much lower than what is given on laboratory reports as normal range (0.6 to 1.2 mg%), which is actually adult range of serum creatinine. In children it needs to be correlated to the height of the child! Also, children display growth that needs to be catered to (and is often forgotten!) as compared to adults who have stopped growing and actually need weight control!!

Dr Pankaj Deshpande, MRCP (UK), MD (Pediatrics), DCH, FCPS (Child Health is a Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist, who after completeing his post-graduation (MD) from Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Parel, Mumbai went to UK. In the 10 years spent there, he specialised in Pediatric Nephrology. He was also the Pediatric Nephrology Consultant at Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK from 2001-2005.

He returned in 2005 and practices in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane offering his support and help to children with various kidney problems.