Facts about children with kidney disease in Jamaica

There are now at least 40 children, 16 years and younger, living with chronic kidney disease. Most are between four and nine years old, approximately nine of which are now on dialysis.

70 per cent of children diagnosed with chronic kidney disease are under six years.

The incidence of childhood chronic kidney disease is rising in Jamaica, three per million population (1985-2000); four per million population (2001-2006); and over seven per million population (2007-2012).

Causes include congenital urological (48 per cent) and glomerular (25 per cent).

Without dialysis, children with kidney failure will die.

Because of the lack of dialysis, from 1985 to 2006, 30 of the 48 children diagnosed with chronic kidney failure died.

Each year, three to six children will be diagnosed with chronic kidney failure.

Among the causes of kidney failure in children are abnormal kidney since birth and acquiring kidney disease, over time, due to injury, inflammation, or some form of disease.

Children may need temporary dialysis for acute kidney failure, due to trauma, heart surgery, chemotherapy, or acute kidney inflammation.

Dialysis for children younger than 12 years is only available at the University Hospital of the West Indies, where they have to share the facility and equipment with adults.

There are only three paediatric nephrologists in Jamaica.

There is a great need for more paediatric nephrologists, specialised nurses, as well as dialysis/kidney treatment centres across Jamaica.

To donate, contact the Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation, PayPal account, on website kidneykidsja.com; email: jakidney.kids@gmail.com; Dr Maolynne Miller - 876-391-5680.

- Information provided by the Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation Limited