Missouri has two exceptional pediatric nephrology centers serving opposite sides of the state. Children's Mercy Kansas City is a national top 5 program and leads the CKiD (Chronic Kidney Disease in Children) longitudinal study — the most important ongoing pediatric CKD research effort in the US — under Dr. Bradley Warady. St. Louis Children's Hospital / Washington University School of Medicine anchors care for eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. Hand-curated and independently verified.
~190K
Adults estimated to have CKD in Missouri
6.2M population · ~3.2% CKD prevalence
Top 5
Children's Mercy KC national ranking — US News & World Report
US News Best Children's Hospitals
CKiD
Children's Mercy leads the national CKiD study under Dr. Bradley Warady
CKiD Consortium
MO HealthNet
Missouri Medicaid — mydss.mo.gov
MO Dept of Social Services
National Research Leadership
Children's Mercy Kansas City Leads the CKiD Study
CKiD National Study · Leading Site
Dr. Bradley Warady leads the CKiD study — the most important ongoing research on chronic kidney disease in children in the United States.
The Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) study is a landmark multi-site longitudinal study tracking how CKD progresses in children over time — and Children's Mercy Kansas City, under Dr. Warady's leadership, is its principal site. CKiD data has informed clinical guidelines, shaped treatment decisions, and generated dozens of papers that directly change how pediatric nephrologists care for children across the country. Families seen at Children's Mercy may have the opportunity to participate in CKiD, contributing to research that helps future children. Dr. Warady is also a leading expert on peritoneal dialysis in infants and children.
For Children
Pediatric Nephrology Centers
Geography
Care by Region
Missouri is a wide state. Which center you can access depends on where your family is located.
Kansas City & Western MO
Children's Mercy Kansas City
Top 5 national program. Best option for families in Kansas City metro, western and central Missouri. Also serves eastern Kansas.
St. Louis & Eastern MO
St. Louis Children's / Washington University
Premier academic center for St. Louis metro and eastern Missouri families. Also serves southern Illinois.
Southern Missouri
Travel to St. Louis or KC
Families in Springfield, Joplin, and the Ozarks face 2–3 hour drives. St. Louis Children's is closer from Springfield; Children's Mercy from Joplin.
Iowa Border / Northern MO
Children's Mercy KC or Iowa
Northern Missouri families (Kirksville, Hannibal) may find Children's Mercy KC most convenient. Iowa families near the border → see the Iowa resources page.
Southern Illinois families: St. Louis Children's Hospital at Washington University is an excellent option for families in metro-east Illinois (Belleville, O'Fallon, Edwardsville). It is closer than Chicago for many southern Illinois zip codes. See the Illinois resources page for additional options.
For Adults
Adult Nephrology & Transplant
Community
Support Organizations
Financial Help
Financial Assistance
Education
Kidney Explorers in Missouri
Request Kidney Explorers for Your School
Our interactive kidney education module is designed for elementary and middle school students. Ask your school to bring it into the classroom.
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