Overview of Kidney Diseases in Children On this page: - What are
the kidneys, and what do they do? - Who is at risk? - What are
the causes of kidney failure in children? - What are the
treatments for kidney failure? - Hope through Research - For
More Information What are the kidneys, and what do they do? The
kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located near the middle of
the back, just below the rib cage. When blood flows through the
kidneys, waste products and extra water are removed from the
blood and sent to the bladder as urine. The kidneys also
regulate blood pressure, balance chemicals like sodium and
potassium, and make hormones to help bones grow and keep the
blood healthy by making new red blood cells.[Top] Who is at
risk? In the general population, slightly more than 30 people in
every 100,000 develop kidney failure each year. In the pediatric
population-age 19 and under-the annual rate is only 1 or 2 new
cases in every 100,000 children. In other words, adults are
about 20 times more likely to develop