Providing treatment for kidney and urinary conditions.
St. Luke’s Pediatric Nephrology treats kidney and urinary conditions in children from birth through adolescence. Led by the only pediatric nephrologists in the region, we can address various conditions using treatments that fit your child’s care plan. So whether your child has chronic or acute challenges, St. Luke’s Pediatric Nephrology in the Lehigh Valley can deliver the care they need.
Overview
Pediatric nephrologists treat kidney and urinary diseases in children. Our providers have a wide range of knowledge and offer world-class medical care such as offering our region’s only pediatric dialysis center, in-office labs, and pre- and post-operative kidney transplant care so your child can have quality treatment close to home. Because at St. Luke’s, we believe that children deserve the best.
Conditions and services
Our children’s nephrology specialists treat kidney and urinary conditions. Partnering with your child’s pediatrician, St. Luke’s pediatric nephrologists in the Lehigh Valley are experienced with the following—and more:
- Acute glomerulonephritis
- Acute kidney failure
- Alport syndrome
- Blood in urine (hematuria)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Congenital anomaly of the kidney
- Congenital anomaly of the urinary tract
- Congenital urologic and nephrologic disorders
- Cystinosis
- End-stage renal disease
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
- Genetic and inherited kidney disorders
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease)
- In-utero kidney anomalies
- Inherited cystic kidney disease
- Kidney diseases associated with conditions that are not limited to the kidney
- Kidney stone disorders, including rare and genetic conditions
- Kidney transplantation
- Lupus nephritis
- Membranous nephropathy
- Multicystic dysplastic kidney
- Nephritis
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Pediatric renal replacement therapy (dialysis)
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Posterior urethral
- Protein in urine
- Reflux nephropathy
- Renal vein thrombosis
- Tubulointerstitial nephritis
- Urinary reflux
- Urinary tract infections, recurrent
- Vesicoureteral reflux
Experienced specialists
You’ll access a robust set of services at St. Luke's Pediatric Nephrology. Our department includes the following care team specialists:
- Dialysis technicians
- Dietitians
- Nephrologists
- Nurses
- Social workers
Our providers use the latest treatments to help your child with various kidney and urinary diseases. So we can address your child's needs without sacrificing the personalized experience found at a regional hospital.
When your child needs dialysis, turn to the only pediatric dialysis unit in the Lehigh Valley.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure (ABPM) Program
The Ambulatory Blood Pressure (ABPM) Program at St. Luke’s Pediatric Nephrology provides 24-hour ABPM studies to all children aged 5 or older where hypertension is suspected, or where proper control of hypertension needs to be monitored.
What is Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)?
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a study done to monitor blood pressure over a 24 hour period. This monitor will be worn while at school or home.
Why do we do Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)?
The ABPM monitoring is a great way to see what blood pressure readings are while the child is in their normal environment. Since the study occurs over a 24 hour period, this testing gives the physician several blood pressure readings to look at, instead of one during a single office visit, which will help determine if the patient truly has elevated blood pressure.
How does the Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring work?
If your child needs an ABPM study, we will schedule an appointment for the placement of the monitor. The placement happens in our Pediatric Nephrology office located at St. Luke’s Pediatric Specialty Center, in Center Valley.
Once the monitor is placed, your child will wear it for 24 consecutive hours. Throughout the 24 hour period the ABPM monitor will take blood pressure readings every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night time.
How to prepare for the ABPM test:
The ABPM test will be a two-day process. The monitor will be placed at a scheduled appointment time in the office. Once the 24-hour testing is completed you will return the monitor to the office.
Example: If the monitor is placed on Monday, you will return it on Tuesday.
The monitor should be placed directly on the skin for best results, it is recommended to wear short sleeves to the appointment.
The monitoring device will be placed in the child’s pocket, or a belt will be used to help secure the monitor to them. If able, it is recommended to wear pants with pockets or a sweatshirt with a pocket.
What do I need to do while completing the ABPM testing?
You will be sent home with a log to fill out. On this log it is important to write down when your child goes to bed and wakes up. On the log there will also be space to write if the child takes any medications along with any activity the child does while wearing the monitor.
What activities should my child avoid?
Strenuous activities should be avoided, such as football, soccer, wrestling. Any sports or other activities that put the monitor at risk for damage should be avoided.
Bathing, showering, or swimming should be avoided while wearing the monitor. The monitor can NOT get wet.
What happens after the ABPM:
Once the 24 hour period is completed you may power down the device as instructed. You may remove the cuff from the child’s arm once the device is turned off.
You will return the monitor to the St. Luke’s Pediatric Nephrology office after the completion of the monitoring. It is very important you return the monitor when you are scheduled as we have limited monitors and other children are waiting to get the ABPM study done.
When will I receive results:
You will be scheduled for a follow up with one of our Pediatric Nephrology providers about 2 weeks after the completion of the testing. At this appointment results will be reviewed.
Troubleshooting the monitor:
If there are any questions or concerns with the ABPM monitor while wearing it please call 484-658-5437 (KIDS)
If the monitor goes off and the cuff is tight, and then 2-3 minutes later the cuff is inflating again it means the device could not get a reading (likely due to movement). If this occurs please have the child be as still as possible until the reading is finished. The cuff should only go off every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night. If it is going off more frequently it is not obtaining the readings.
Family-centered care
At St. Luke’s, you and your family are members of your child’s care team. That’s why we make receiving care easy and accessible. Our comprehensive care model includes several key features:
Convenient locations
We offer nephrology services at our main office in the St. Luke's Pediatric Specialty Center, with plenty of parking.
In-office testing
We have a comprehensive lab on-site for any necessary testing during your child’s appointment.
Dialysis center
Receive care at the region’s only pediatric dialysis center—and have a smooth transition to adult dialysis treatment.
Transplant services
Take advantage of our strong relationship with regional transplant centers for pre- and post-operative care for kidney transplants.
Translation services
We provide translators (as needed) to ensure clear and comfortable communication.
Available provider support
MyChart–our electronic health record portal–provides access to your child’s care team to answer your questions or address non-emergent concerns, see test results, and more.
Long-term treatment
Our providers will work with you and your child to develop a transitional care plan into adulthood.
Get started with a pediatric nephrologist
Call 484-658-KIDS (5437) to find the specialized care your child needs close to home.