Illinois is home to nationally leading pediatric kidney programs. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is the nation's leader in pediatric kidney transplant volume and outcomes, with 800+ transplants performed and 100% survival at one month, one year, and three years — and the first pediatric kidney transplant in Illinois was performed here in 1964. The University of Chicago and UI Health round out an exceptional Chicago-area lineup. Downstate families face long distances to access these programs. All information hand-curated and independently verified.
Illinois has three major pediatric nephrology programs in Chicago, led by Lurie Children's — the nation's leader in pediatric kidney transplant volume and outcomes. The University of Chicago Comer Children's and UI Health round out one of the strongest regional pediatric nephrology lineups in the country.
All three major pediatric kidney programs are in Chicago. For families in Springfield, Champaign, Peoria, or southern Illinois, the drive to Chicago can be 2–4 hours. St. Louis Children's Hospital (BJC) in Missouri is a strong regional option for families in western and southern Illinois — often considerably closer. Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis is another alternative. Ask your pediatrician about the closest referral for your location.
Pediatric dialysis is available at Lurie Children's and UChicago Comer Children's. Adult outpatient dialysis is available statewide through DaVita and Fresenius.
Search currently recruiting kidney disease studies at Chicago-area institutions and downstate sites on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Do not wait to contact your nephrologist. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER first.