Nephrotic syndrome

Children’s Hospital Boston is home to the world’s largest research program at a pediatric institution, and we’re known for pioneering new treatments. A large part of our success comes from our commitment to research—and to advancing the frontiers of what’s possible through our innovative approach.

Here in the Division of Nephrology, our expertise in specific conditioning pre-transplant has allowed us to become successful in reducing the recurrence of focal sclerosis in children who have had kidney transplants from the usual 40 to 50 percent to around 20 to 25 percent.

We’re also currently involved in NIH-sponsored multi-center clinical trials looking at new therapies for FSGS in children.

Gene for devastating kidney disease discovered

Researchers from Children's and Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified an important genetic cause of a devastating kidney disease that is the second leading cause of kidney failure in children. The study may provide clues to developing treatments for the disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which currently forces children and young adults onto dialysis and often requires a kidney transplant. No effective treatments are known, and years of research have failed to uncover the underlying disease mechanism. Learn more.