Helping children with renal and
urological problems since 1968

Alder Hey Children's Kidney Fund

Support

The Web is full of research papers relating to renal and urological disorders and although these are great reference materials for medical professionals, sometimes our parents, carers and patients require more practical help and guidance.

At the AHCKF we really do welcome input so if there is something that you would like to see in this section that is not here already, please let us know via the contact section on the website.

Alder Hey Hospital Useful Information

Alder Hey is one of Europe’s biggest and busiest children’s hospitals, providing care for over 200,000 children each year.

The Hospital

  • www.alderhey.co.uk
  • Alder Hey Hospital, Eaton Road, West Derby, Liverpool, L12 2AP
  • Main Telephone Number: 0151 228 4811
  • Main Fax Number: 0151 228 0328

Wards

For children with renal and urological problems there are several wards or sites in the hospital that you may visit including…

  • Ward C2
  • Ward C3
  • Ward D2
  • Ward K3
  • Balloon Room
  • Ward B1 – Outpatient clinic

About the Kidneys

Most people have two kidneys, which are organs shaped like kidney beans, however, it is possible to live a healthy and active life with only one functioning kidney. In some cases people can be born with three kidneys, and likewise remain healthy.

The kidneys act like sieves, filtering the waste and excess fluid from the blood. Blood passes through the kidneys and is cleaned before returning to the heart.

Their main job is to cleanse the blood of toxins and transform the waste into urine so when the kidneys are not working properly, harmful toxins and excess fluids can build up in the body. Your kidneys also help control your blood pressure.

Renal failure (or kidney failure) describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to properly filter toxins and waste products from the blood.

With kidney failure your body does not clean your blood as it should so it is important to receive kidney failure treatment to maintain proper functioning of the body. This treatment may include lifestyle changes, medicines, dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Kidney Dialysis

There are two main types of dialysis; Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis. They are two different methods to reach the same goal – cleaning your blood.

Hemodialysis (also known as haemodialysis) is the most common treatment for kidney failure and has been in regular use since the 1960s – this is what most people think of when they hear about dialysis. When patients refer to ‘a dialysis machine’ or a ‘kidney machine’, they are usually talking about hemodialysis. This type of dialysis is usually performed at Alder Hey Hospital on ward D2.

Peritoneal dialysis has been available since the 1980s, and is now a common treatment for kidney failure patients. There are two main versions; the first is continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), which doesn’t require a machine as the patient is able to walk around with the dialysis solution in their abdomen. The second form, continuous cycler-assisted peritoneal dialysis (CCPD), requires the use of a machine called a cycler to fill and drain the abdomen, usually while the patient sleeps. CCPD is also sometimes called automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). This type of dialysis is usually performed at home.

Kidney Transplants

Kidney transplantation (renal transplantation) is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient with end-stage renal disease and the first kidney transplantation in the United Kingdom occurred in 1960.

A kidney may be transplanted from either a deceased or a living donor. In the UK, more than one in three donations is from a live donor.

In most cases the barely functioning existing kidneys are not removed, therefore, the transplanted kidney is usually placed in a location different from the original kidney.

Transplant surgery generally takes about 3 hours and the new kidney usually begins functioning immediately.

Special drugs are used to suppress the immune system from rejecting the donor kidney.

After a transplant people generally have more energy, a less restricted diet, and fewer complications with a kidney transplant than if they stay on conventional dialysis.

A fascinating fact is that at least four professional athletes have made a comeback to their sport after receiving a transplant: New Zealand rugby union player Jonah Lomu, German-Croatian Soccer Player Ivan Klasnic, and NBA basketballers Sean Elliott and Alonzo Mourning!

Kidney Health Information

Nutrition

Organ Donation

  • Transplants are one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine but they depend entirely on the generosity of donors and their families who are willing to make this life saving or life enhancing gift to others. One donor can save the life of several people and improve the life of many more.
  • www.organdonation.nhs.uk
  • You can join the NHS Organ Donor Register by filling in a form online at www.uktransplant.org.uk or alternatively calling the NHS Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23.

Websites for Teenagers

Useful links