Kidney Genetics Clinic
Welcome to the Kidney Genetics Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Sometimes kidney problems run in families. By using advanced genetic testing, we can often find the cause of a child’s kidney disease. Our clinic is here to help children and families who may have a genetic (inherited) kidney condition. We bring together a caring team of kidney doctors (nephrologists), geneticists and genetic counselors who work closely with you to understand your child’s health.
Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Nephrology.
Clinic Referral Information
Appointments are by physician referral.
Health care providers may fax referral information to Nephrology & Hypertension at (614) 722-6482. Please specify the referral to the “Hypertension Clinic.”
Patients and families may request a referral to the Hypertension Clinic from their primary care provider or specialist. A patient or family may call our office at (614) 722-4360 to let us know that you have requested a referral.
Conditions We Treat
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Kidney Failure
- Glomerulonephritis
- Nephrotic Syndrome
- Alport Syndrome
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Kidney Stone Disease
- Hypertension
- Electrolyte Abnormalities
- Congenital Kidney or Bladder Anomalies
Our Team
Nina Mann
Nina Mann, MD, is a principal investigator in the Kidney and Urinary Tract Center and assistant professor of Nephrology at The Ohio State University. With more than eight years of experience in pediatric nephrology, Dr. Mann’s research interests are strongly connected to her experiences as a clinician. Her research focuses on applying genomic technologies to identify novel genetic etiologies of childhood kidney disease and studying the mechanisms of these diseases using a variety of basic science techniques. Dr. Mann has consistently presented her work regionally, nationally and internationally at events such as the Kidney and Urinary Tract Symposium, the International Pediatric Transplant Association Meeting and the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week.
Bianca Zapanta, DO
Bianca Zapanta, DO, is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics at Nationwide Children’s and The Ohio State University. She is involved with numerous organizations, including the Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS)/Overgrowth Network and the National Organization for Rare Diseases. Her interests include medical education, overgrowth disorders and renal genetics.
Alyssa Riggle
Alyssa Riggle, MS, LGC, is a genetic counselor in the department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine. She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University's master's program in genetic counseling and has experience in cancer, prenatal and general (pediatric) genetics. Her research focuses on the psychosocial aspects of genetic conditions. Her master's thesis investigated how recent CFTR modulators have impacted the lived experiences of people with cystic fibrosis. Alyssa's research aligns with her clinical interests of improving counseling for families diagnosed with or being evaluated for a genetic condition.
Research
Our clinic is led by pediatric kidney and genetics specialists who focus on caring for children with inherited kidney conditions. In addition to providing expert care, our doctors also lead nationally funded research to better understand how genes affect kidney health.
If standard genetic tests don’t give clear answers, our team doesn’t stop here. We work with research partners here at Nationwide Children’s and around the world to look deeper – helping families get the answers they need whenever possible.
Services We Offer
- Genetic counseling services for patients and family members
- Coordination of genetic testing and interpretation of results
- Guidance regarding ongoing treatment strategies for your child and relatives who may be at risk
- Ongoing care focused on prevention, early detection and personalized treatment
What to Expect at Your First Visit
You will meet with several healthcare providers during your first visit. This may include a genetic counselor, genetic physician and a nephrologist. During the visit, we will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s kidney health and family history. You can expect the visit to take at least one hour.
- Family history: A genetic counselor will meet with you during your visit to talk about your family’s health history.
- Team evaluation: You will see several members of our care team. They will review your child’s medical history, lab results, imaging studies and do a physical exam.
- Next steps: Together, we will discuss whether genetics could explain your child’s condition and, if helpful, arrange genetic testing.
