Pediatric Nephrologist Trains Colleagues in Guatemala

Hidalgo serves as international educator to advance pediatric kidney care

Guillermo Hidalgo, M.D., F.A.S.N., division chief for pediatric nephrology at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, recently traveled to Guatemala to train pediatric nephrologists in care for acute kidney injury (AKI).

Using a grant from the International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) and utilizing the curricular materials from the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) initiative Saving Young Lives, Dr. Hidalgo traveled to Antigua in Guatemala to train a group of Guatemalan pediatric nephrologists to become trainers in the treatment of AKI. It is the first “Train the trainers” course in Latin America. The group also worked to advance the development and prepare for future implementation in Guatemala of a national plan for the care of pediatric patients receiving kidney replacement therapy in case of natural and man-made disasters.

Dr. Hidalgo is one of three doctors who trained 13 nephrologists during two days as part of the Saving Young Lives program. They taught a total immersion course that enables attendees to standardize the medical care of pediatric AKI patients and kidney replacement therapy strategy, including peritoneal dialysis catheter placement.

Dr. Hidalgo has previously traveled to Mexico, Colombia, and Singapore to present on various aspects of kidney care. He serves on the executive board of Saving Our Lives.

Guatemala is now a country where more than 80% of its pediatric nephrologists are

trained in advanced care, including peritoneal dialysis, so they can now train other doctors and nurses in neighboring countries in Central America, where there are very few pediatric nephrologists, especially in the rural areas. Guatemala also now has a National Pediatric AKI Registry.

Saving Young Lives works in low-resource areas of the world to help establish and maintain hospital services for the care of AKI. Experts from across the globe provide training and educational activities in the community to improve awareness and equip local health practitioners to prevent and identify cases needing hospital care. SYL collaborating organizations include:

• IPNA (International Pediatric Nephrology Association)
• ISN (International Society of Nephrology)
• ISPD (International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis)
• EuroPD (European Peritoneal Dialysis)

Meet the Physician Information:

Guillermo Hidalgo, M.D., Chief of Pediatric Nephrology