Find more information about some of the medical words and terms you may hear or read relating to kidney conditions in babies, children and young people.
When a person has permanent kidney disease that is so severe that they can only survive long term with dialysis or a kidney transplant.
A hormone made by healthy kidneys, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Chronic kidney disease can result in a lack of erythropoietin and low red blood cells (anaemia). Artificial erythropoietin medicine is available.
Measurement of kidney function, calculated from the blood level of creatinine. The lower the eGFR, the worse the kidney function.
An enlarged vein, usually at the wrist or elbow, that gives access to the blood stream for haemodialysis. The fistula is created by a surgeon in a minor operation. This increases the flow of blood through the vein and causes it to enlarge, making it suitable for haemodialysis needles.
A form of dialysis in which the blood is taken outside the body, and cleaned by a dialysis machine and returned back to the person. Haemodialysis sessions may last 3-5 hours, and sessions are usually needed three times a week.
A substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. A low Hb level indicates anaemia.
A chemical messenger that travels around the body in the blood and controls how other parts of the body work.
Life supporting treatments for kidney failure, including all forms of dialysis and also kidney transplantation.