The Role of a Clinical Psychologist in Pediatric Nephrology

Vimal Master Sankar Raj; Priyal Patel

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2022.05.007

The Role of a Clinical Psychologist in Pediatric Nephrology

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2022 Oct;69(5):941-949. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2022.05.007.

Authors

Vimal Master Sankar Raj¹, Priyal Patel²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, 420 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Suite 201, Peoria, IL 61603, USA. Electronic address: vraj@uic.edu.
² Bradley University, Peoria, IL, USA.

PMID: 36207104
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2022.05.007

Abstract

Renal disease in pediatric patients tends to have a broad clinical spectrum from milder disease to severe progressive renal dysfunction requiring renal replacement therapy. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can have additional comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, which can add to the disease burden. The psychosocial or the mental component of the pediatric CKD patient is often overlooked by health care professionals due to a lack of resources and training in identifying psychological disorders. In addition, many components of kidney disease like fatigue from anemia and cognitive impairment make it difficult for the untrained physician to identify underlying psychological disorders. This review explores the complex psychosocial issues in patients with kidney disease and the need of more comprehensive multidisciplinary approach for treatment.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease (CKD); Depression; Dialysis; End-stage renal disease (ESRD); Self-esteem.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Comorbidity
Humans
Hypertension*
Nephrology*
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / diagnosis
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / therapy
Renal Replacement Therapy