Most people have two kidneys, which are organs shaped like kidney beans, each one about 10-15cms long, located either side of the spine, deep in the abdomen. However, it is possible to live a healthy and active life with only one functioning kidney.

The kidneys are vital life-sustaining organs, performing many functions to keep the blood clean and chemically balanced.

Kidneys have a number of important functions:

1. They filter the blood to get rid of waste products of metabolism. After the body uses food for energy and self repair, the waste products such as creatinine and urea are sent to the blood. The kidneys filter the blood and act as very efficient filters for ridding the body of waste products, and return useful vitamins, amino acids, glucose, and hormones back into the bloodstream.
2. They keep the electrolytes (sodium and potassium being the most important) and water content of the body constant. They keep the acid level in the blood at the correct level.
3. They secrete a number of essential hormones such as renin (for blood pressure control), erythropoeitin (to make new red blood cells) and vitamin D (for bone health).

Kidney Conditions

Sometimes when a woman is pregnant, an ultrasound scan might show that her developing baby might have a condition affecting their kidneys. Click on this fantastic website called INFOKID to learn all about your baby’s kidney condition and the care they will receive after birth.

Click here for information and support for parents and carer about conditions affecting childrens’ kidneys