The Dialysis Program at Children's Mercy is dedicated to providing the highest quality of pediatric care to children with acute and chronic kidney disorders requiring renal replacement therapy with dialysis. We offer a nationally and internationally recognized end-stage renal disease program that is a leader in the clinical dialysis care of infants, children and adolescents and in the performance of dialysis related research designed to improve pediatric dialysis care.

We recognize that the family is an integral "dialysis team member" and is essential to the planning and implementation of the child's health management. Therefore, all of our programs are conducted in a family-centered environment that is designed to assist the patient achieve the best possible outcome.

Our dialysis unit has 9 treatment stations and is one of the largest dedicated pediatric dialysis units in the nation. Our patients range in age from birth through 21 years old. We offer a full range of treatments that include:

• Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) (in-center and home)
• Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)
• Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD)
• Hemodialysis (HD) (in-center and home)
• Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)

Clinical Activities

Our program's results in the prevention of dialysis related infection exceed the national experience.

Peritonitis Rate

*North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies, 2011 Annual Report

Hemodialysis Catheter-Related Infection Rate

*Multiple sources

• Our home hemodialysis program is one of the few programs in the nation designed specifically for pediatric patients.
• We use social media programs to assist patients in adhering to their medical regimens. 
• Members of the nephrology faculty served as editor and authors of the textbook, "Pediatric Dialysis" and as members of the international writing committee of the "Consensus Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Catheter-Related Infections and Peritonitis in Pediatric Patients Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis: 2012 Update."
• Kidney Kare Day is an educational forum for patients and families that is conducted yearly by the nephrology faculty and staff.
• Camp Chimer is our nationally recognized and medically supervised summer camp for pediatric dialysis and transplant patients that has served patients from throughout our region of the country for 25 years.
• Our outreach program makes available school visits to educate students, teachers and school nurses about living with dialysis and transplantation.
• Our transition program and its comprehensive education curriculum are initiated during adolescence and prepare the young adult patient on dialysis for long-term success.
• Patient families can stay in the Ronald McDonald House or the Ronald McDonald Family Room, which provide a more homelike atmosphere during their child's hospitalization.