Providing Physical, Cognitive and Psychosocial Care for Kids with Chronic Kidney Disease

Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health opened a multidisciplinary clinic for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), bringing together a team of experts to manage the physical, social, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of the disease. The clinic, which is located at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, in addition to pediatric nephrology, social work and nutrition, now includes neurocognitive, and psychology/psychiatry screening, clinical research and expert support.

“CKD affects more than just kidney function,” said Guillermo Hidalgo, M.D., FASN, division chief of Pediatric Nephrology at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “Children with CKD may experience problems with learning and mental health, which can affect their performance in school, mood and relationships with others.”

According to Dr. Hidalgo, it is common for children with CKD to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and in selected cases suicidal thoughts. Children with CKD and autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions can also face unique, and isolating challenges as they cope with their condition.

“We wanted to partner with our teams in psychology, psychiatry and neurocognitive colleagues to recognize, better understand, and build a comprehensive pediatric CKD program that would extend beyond our clinic — providing our patients with resources and support that promote physical, developmental, cognitive and emotional well-being,” said Dr. Hidalgo.

Learn more about our advancements in pediatric nephrology.