Kidney Function

Kidney function is very immature at birth. The kidney of a newborn lacks the ability to concentrate urine and are less efficient in handling electrolytes. No new nephrons are formed in the kidneys after the fetal period; however, the nephrons and kidneys continue to grow in size until maturity is reached. Thereafter renal weight, blood flow, and glomerular filtration decline, especially after age 50. These changes are most marked when they are standardized to body surface area, and less marked when lean body mass is used. As a person ages, the kidneys can maintain the homeostasis of the plasma constituents, but they are slower to respond to changes in load.

When one kidney experiences loss of function, the remaining kidney is capable of considerable compensatory hypertrophy because there are a large number of rserve nephrons that can enlarge and increase their function. However, the number of reserve nephrons declines with age, and renal parenchyma is replaced by fibrous tissue; consequently, the ability to hypertrophy is reduced in older individuals.

Patients experiencing kidney failure or severe problems with kidney function may need to look into hemodialysis as a treatment option. Hemodialysis treatment centers are located all over the United States. Most people receiving treatment today do so in a full-care outpatient facility. These facilities are located both inside hospitals as well as off-site.

Another option for those in need of hemodialysis is home treatment. You will need to receive proper training before you will be able to dialyze in your own home.

You should discuss your personal situation with your physician to help you determine which dialysis treatment facility in your area is best for you.

For more information on dialysis facilities, please see the brochure available here from the National Kidney Foundation.

While dialysis may be a life saving decision, keep in mind that it is not your only option. Kidney transplantation is another way to regain proper kidney function and many believe it is a much better long-term solution than dialysis.

If kidney function deteriorates to the point where a transplant is required to save a life, there are two methods of obtaining a new kidney for the transplant. One method is by having a kidney donated by a living donor, the other is by receiving a functional kidney that is taken from someone who has recently passed away. We will now take a closer look at the latter scenario.

When a kidney is removed from a recently deceased person  for the purpose of transplantation, it is known as a cadaver kidney. The kidney is briefly stored while tests are performed to determine the recipient best suited to receive it. In general, every effort is made to ensure that the kidney does not have to be stored for longer than 30 hours before it is used. However, there have been cases where kidneys that were stored for even greater periods of time were used in successful transplants.  Cadaver kidneys account for nearly 70% of all kidney transplants performed in the United States.

Anonymity

In the United States, policy does not allow the recipient of the cadaver kidney to know the identity of the person it came from. Likewise, the family of the deceased donor does not receive information pertaining to the recipient of the kidney.

Wait Period

Depending on the availability of a matching cadaver kidney, patients in need of a transplant may have to wait as much as 12 months or more. However, in some cases the wait period is considerably shorter.