Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that it’s difficult to hear that your baby needs complex kidney care before or immediately after birth. We are here to support you and answer any questions that you or your family may have. We often hear the following questions from the families we serve:

Are all kidney problems in fetuses or newborns serious?

No, they are not. If just one kidney works, your baby could live a healthy life. Our NephroNICU program mainly focuses on caring for infants who are born with a range of rare and serious congenital (before birth) or acquired (after birth) kidney problems.

I’ve been told that the baby I am carrying will not survive because of a kidney problem—can you help?

Hearing that your unborn baby has a fatal kidney anomaly is devastating. We are here to support you and your family in making a care decision with balanced guidance and in-depth knowledge. In the past, most babies with rare, complex kidney conditions did not survive, but our expertise is helping some babies beat those odds. We’ve assembled an exceptional, expert team of doctors including top kidney doctors and neonatologists to give you hope. We have been successful in helping babies survive and go on to live full, happy lives. There are no guarantees, but if you want to fight for your baby, we are here to fight with you.

How is your care different than what I can get elsewhere?

Simply put, if your baby will need highly specialized care from a program that was created to focus on these rare, complex kidney conditions, there are only a few in the nation to receive this care, and we are one of them. Our program brings together top experts to give your baby the best chance. Thanks to Stanford Medicine’s overarching focus on research and new approaches to medical care, we are able to offer the very latest, advanced care for your baby with complex kidney issues. An example is our lifesaving newborn/infant dialysis, something that is offered at only a few places nationwide.

Where can I learn about your clinical trials for fetuses and newborns with serious kidney conditions?

When you see us for a consult, we are happy to review our open clinical trials to provide you with the latest advances in care for your developing fetus and newborn. Learn more about our pediatric nephrology research, or view a list of our current pediatric nephrology clinical trials.

How can I schedule an appointment with your team or become a patient?

If you are expecting and you’ve heard the news that your baby has a serious kidney defect, we invite you to contact our Fetal and Pregnancy Health Program at (650) 724-2221 to learn more about how to be evaluated. Or, ask your obstetrician or your baby’s doctor to call us at (650) 723-7342 to request a consultation. Our NephroNICU program doctors are happy to partner with your doctor to provide care.