Dialysis Clinic, Inc., releases educational video about pediatric dialysis

AUSTIN, Texas - Sept. 4, 2015 - PRLog -- DCI’s Children’s Dialysis Clinic of Central Texas released a 25-minute documentary, “Dialysis Darlings,” on Friday, Sept. 4, which focuses on the lives and coping mechanisms of families with children on dialysis.

In 2012, 7,522 children in the U.S. were treated for kidney failure, in comparison to 114,813 adults.[1] Few people realize that children with kidney failure must rely on dialysis, a life sustaining therapy, while they wait for a kidney transplant. When parents of children dialyzed at DCI’s Children’s Dialysis Clinic of Central Texas expressed concern about the lack of educational material for parents with children facing dialysis, DCI staff decided to create a video to fill the void.

“There is so little information available for parents who find out their child needs dialysis,” said Robin Davis, dietitian at Children’s Dialysis Clinic of Central Texas. “The video offers parent-to-parent information about the social issues and challenges that inevitably arise when you find out your child will be born with kidney failure.”

“Dialysis Darlings” provides insight into what it’s really like to have a baby with kidney failure, and it is divided into six chapters. This sectional formatting allows parents to watch one chapter a time, depending on their need. The chapters include:
·         The Moment We Learned
·         What I Wish I Had Known
·         How Kidney Disease Impacts our Family
·         Our Biggest Challenge
·         What I Want to Share with other Families
·         Snippets from Siblings

Dr. Phillip Berry, medical director of Children’s Dialysis Clinic of Central Texas, said, “Many times during my career when I have told people what I do, they say, 'I didn’t know children got serious kidney disease.' Actually, there are enough such children in Texas alone to require eight pediatric dialysis facilities across the state.”

Before DCI opened a pediatric unit in Austin, families had to move or travel many miles for their children to receive dialysis. Berry stated, “We are happy to be able to provide all types of dialysis for children in central Texas at the Children’s Dialysis Clinic of Central Texas.  More education allows more families to know the services are available here at home.”

Davis said the clinic drew inspiration to create this video from the parents, and these parents answered questions in a round-table format to complete the documentary.

“Our parents want the best for their children, and they want the best for other children too. We are eager to share this video with as many people as possible,” Davis said. “We hope the stories of these littlest dialysis patients, from 8-months-old to 10-years-old, will inspire interest and raise awareness for pediatric dialysis.”

Children’s Dialysis Clinic of Central Texas is on a mission to raise awareness about kidney disease among children on social media. They are encouraging anyone who is inspired by the video to share it in their community.

For more information regarding pediatric kidney care, please contact the Children’s Dialysis Clinic of Central Texas at 512-524-4213.

Watch the series: https://youtu.be/Q_FhpxhOYAY?list=PLVRGaOd5PweIbTQ1bJ68ru...




[1] According to the United States Renal Data System 2014 Annual Report (http://www.usrds.org/2014/download/V2_Ch_01_ESRD_Incidenc...)