Critical care nephrology deals with kidney problems in seriously ill children. The kidneys can be injured by infection, low blood pressure, dehydration, certain medicines and some primary kidney diseases. When they fail, fluid, salts and waste products build up and affect the heart, lungs and brain.

As a PICU hospital in Mumbai with a dialysis centre and a nephrology department, Apex closely supports this work. The team monitors urine output, blood tests and fluid balance closely. A tube in the bladder may be placed to measure urine, and fluids are carefully adjusted. When salts such as potassium become dangerous or fluid overload threatens breathing, dialysis may be considered.

Critical care nephrology services include:

• Acute Kidney Injury Care: Finding and treating the cause, protecting the kidneys from further harm, adjusting medicines and monitoring blood tests and urine output through the day.
• Fluid and Salt Balance: Careful control of fluids, potassium, sodium and acid balance in the blood, which is crucial for heart rhythm, brain function and breathing.
• Dialysis Support: Assessment for and, where needed, use of dialysis to remove waste and extra fluid when the kidneys cannot, in coordination with the nephrology team.
• Nephrotic and Kidney Disease Complications: Treatment of swelling, infection and clotting risks in children with long-term kidney disease who become critically ill.