Nephrology and Hypertension
Advancing Clinical Care of Kidney and Related Disorders Through Research
Waiting for a Kidney
Watch Max's Journey
Nephrology and Hypertension
The Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Nationwide Children’s provides comprehensive treatment to children and adolescents with kidney and urinary tract problems. Among the conditions addressed are kidney failure, developmental abnormalities of the kidneys, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, nephrotic syndrome, high blood pressure, metabolic bone disease, lupus and inflammatory diseases of the kidneys such as glomerulonephritis.
Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Nephrology.
New Patients
Now you can schedule appointments and second opinions online with a provider, time and location that is most convenient, or call (614) 722-6200.
Existing Patients
If your child is already a patient within Nephrology, you can schedule follow-up appointments right in MyChart or call (614) 722-6200.
Sign Up for MyChart
Signing up for MyChart is easy, and it's free. Use MyChart to schedule appointments, view lab results, refill prescriptions and more.
Referring Physicians
We're one team. Our physician resources make referring your patients to our experts fast, seamless and ensures the highest quality of care.
View ResourcesCan't Find What You're Looking For?
If you are unable to schedule your next appointment through MyChart, fill out our online Request an Appointment form and a member of our scheduling team will be happy to assist you.
Our Mission Statement
As the leader in pediatric care, the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Nationwide Children’s provides comprehensive acute and chronic nephrology services, urinary tract evaluation, dialysis, kidney transplantation, hypertension diagnostics and management, as well as treatment of metabolic bone disease. Pediatric patients with all forms of kidney and urinary tract diseases will have access to world-class diagnostic, treatment, education and research services. The Division of Nephrology and Hypertension is staffed by pediatric experts who provide patients and their families unparalleled and innovative care.
Meet Our Leadership
John David Spencer
John David Spencer, MD, is chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension and a principal investigator in the Kidney and Urinary Tract Center. He is also an associate professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Spencer’s National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research focuses on defining the molecular mechanisms that regulate and prevent infections in the kidney and urinary tract, with an emphasis on the role antimicrobial peptides play in maintaining sterility in the urinary tract.
Hiren P. Patel
Hiren Patel, MD, is section chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension and medical director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital. His clinical interests include glomerular and tubular disorders, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. His research interests include improving clinical outcomes in chronic kidney disease, particularly in the dialysis and renal transplant populations.
Nephrology Services Include:
- Treatment for kidney-related conditions
- Pediatric renal transplantation
- Pediatric renal dietician, clinical nutrition support
- Dedicated renal social worker and psychologist
- Homecare Services
- Renal Basic Science Research Laboratory
- Clinical research
Our Programs Include:
Dialysis
Nationwide Children's has a pediatric-specific dialysis unit on-site to provide acute and chronic dialysis therapy for children with severe kidney failure.
Kidney Transplant Program
Our program serves children and adolescents in need of a kidney transplant due to birth anomalies, disease processes and acute/chronic kidney injury.
Metabolic Bone Clinic
The Metabolic Bone Clinic provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and management of various skeletal disorders, including Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and other congenital bone disorders, as well as acquired conditions that led to osteopenia and impair bone such as that seen with glucocorticoid use, immobilization and chronic renal, liver and other conditions.
The Kidney and Urinary Tract Center
The Kidney and Urinary Tract Center is a collaborative, integrated process designed to combine patient care, advocacy, research, and training to develop the next generation of nephrology and urology treatment for children.
Kidney Stone Clinic
Every child with a suspected or confirmed kidney stone should have a comprehensive evaluation to cause and treatment by nephrology experts. Our team is here to help in diagnosis, medical treatment and long-term care.
Lupus Clinic
Lupus is a chronic and heterogeneous autoimmune disorder that can affect any organ in the body. Uncontrolled lupus can cause severe complications including kidney damage from lupus nephritis and psychosis, seizures, stroke and cognitive problems from central nervous system involvement. Our nephrologists work closely with the rheumatologists in the Lupus Clinic to ensure that patients with lupus receive the critical kidney care they need.
Conditions We Treat
Nephrology Research
In addition to providing outstanding clinical care, members of the Section of Nephrology are leading research studies to improve patient outcomes for children everywhere. The Nephrology program is supported by five research coordinators who manage over 40 ongoing clinical and translational research studies. The basic and translational research program is located in Clinical and Translational Research Center of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute. The Nephrology Research program is supported by institutional, industry and private funds, as well as receiving funding from national societies as well as the National Institutes of Health.
World Kidney Day Celebration for Families
What's Your Superpower?
Date: March 14, 2024
Time: 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Galaxy Lounge
This is a free event hosted by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, National Kidney Foundation and The YNott? Foundation.
● Join us for a fun, in-person superhero-themed event to play, share and celebrate!
● Kidney friendly snacks and photo booth fun!
Inside the Section of Nephrology and Hypertension
Conditions We Treat
- Acute Renal Failure
- Chronic Renal Failure
- Disorders of Mineral Metabolism
- End-Stage Renal Disease
- Familial Renal Disorders
- Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
- Glomerulonephritis
- High Blood Pressure
- Hypercalciuria
- Hypertension
- Metabolic Bone Disease
- Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney
- Nephrotic Syndrome in Children
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Renal Failure in Children
- Renal Tubular Disorders
- Syndromes with Renal Involvement
- Urinary Tract Disorders
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs)
- Urolithiasis
- Voiding Disorders