Facing the challenges of paediatric kidney failure can be overwhelming for any family. It is a critical medical condition that requires urgent attention upon diagnosis in children.

Out of all the concerns a family can have, concerns about the treatment cost is also important.

Is your child or any loved one suffering from kidney failure? Are you looking for the best treatments for them in India? Wondering about the cost structures?

Worry no more, Karetrip is here to guide you! All your queries will be answered here. In this blog, we will explore the cost details of kidney failure treatment in various hospitals in India.

Join us as we explore the treatment options, its costs, and other associated factors that could help you make the best decisions.

Paediatric Kidney Failure - Different Treatment options available

The most sought after modes of treatment for paediatric kidney disease in India are dialysis and kidney transplantation. Both of them have advantages as well as disadvantages.

• The surgeon selects the proper mode of treatment which suits the patient appropriately after having fully examined the child.

• This process of dialysis removes waste products and excess water present in the blood. When kidneys are no longer able to carry out its function sufficiently, dialysis is generally performed.

• The two major types of dialysis conducted in our country are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

• Hemodialysis needs a machine to be used for blood filtering, whereas peritoneal dialysis uses the peritoneum to be used as a filter. In the long run, long-term dialysis is not a good option.

• Moreover, it is expensive and fraught with numerous complications. Most paediatricians advise renal transplantation as a priority for children with ESRD for the need to heal as soon as possible.

• A kidney transplant is a surgery that is conducted on patients to remove a bad kidney and substitute it with a kidney from a donor to make the minor healthier. A kidney donor might be either deceased or living.

Paediatric Kidney Failure Treatment and Its Expenditure

The expenditure of paediatric renal failure treatment in India differs depending on several factors. For hemodialysis, the average cost per session ranges from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000. For peritoneal dialysis the expenditure would be around Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000.

Dialysis sessions vary in frequency depending on the severity of the patient's condition, with an average of three sessions per week for those with kidney failure.

Kidney transplant surgery typically costs between Rs. Five and 15 lakh. The expense of this surgical procedure also depends on multiple factors that tend to emerge during the course of treatment.

Factors Influencing Expense of Treatment

The expense of Paediatric Kidney failure treatment varies based on multiple factors such as given below:

• Based on the treatment option

Kidney transplants cost more than dialysis, but dialysis may not be a permanent solution and may be more expensive in the long run, particularly if the kid needs long-term or very regular dialysis sessions. The type of kidney transplant operation you choose also controls your surgery’s price.

• Type of Hospital

The kind of hospital where you get your treatment impacts your overall treatment cost. Based on the type of hospitals whether it's managed by government, private, or by a trust the expense of treatment offered also varies.

The government hospitals might perform this surgery free of cost . But,the problem is that one cannot get it done in an emergency, as there may be a large number of deserving people in the waiting list.

One has to wait patiently for their turn after registering for free surgery. Such an option may not be helpful for a person who has to be treated immediately. In a privately owned specialty hospital ,they might charge a minimum of 10 Lakhs for one kidney transplant.

• Age of the child

The cost of treatment also depends on the age of the child who needs treatment. The lower the age of the patient, the lower the kidney replacement cost .

• Severity of Condition

Children with more severe kidney failure may require more intensive and costly treatment, including more frequent dialysis sessions or a more complex kidney transplant surgery.

• Type of City

Healthcare expenses are higher in metro cities than in other places. So the cost of your treatment varies based on the type of city from which you avail treatment.

• Based on the kind of Surgical Procedure

Based on the type of surgical procedure performed , the expenses of renal failure treatment varies. For instance, minimally invasive kidney transplant surgery is more reasonable than an open kidney transplant surgery .

• Hospital Stay Duration

The recovery period following a kidney transplant takes about 10 to 15 days. Hospitalisation costs could rise if the patient stays longer than the allotted recovery period, especially if the patient has to undergo more procedures or needs more days of treatment for infections, or if any complications arise.

The longer the patient stays in a hospital, the higher the price of kidney transplant surgery.

Thus, kidney transplant procedures that have a slower recovery rate are more expensive. For instance, a robotic kidney surgery will cost you less than an open kidney transplant operation because of the shorter recovery period.

• Surgeon's Expertise & Reputation

A kidney transplant is a complex procedure that requires great accuracy and patience.The experience and proficiency of a surgeon also affects the expenses of the surgical procedure. Surgeons who possess years of experience and high qualification charge more for performing surgeries.

• Prescribed Medications

Special medications called immunosuppressive drugs or anti-rejection medications are prescribed during surgery and post recovery period. These medications are expensive as most of them are produced internationally and have patents which cost more.

These are important medications as they prevent the new kidney from rejection and allow a good kidney function and placement in the patient. Pre- and post-operative medication costs are assessed separately from surgical costs.

• After Surgery Patient Care Charges

Once the surgery is performed, a patient might need after-surgery care too. There are a large number of programs offering Kidney transplantation in India, but the financial burden on the patient for kidney transplant and its post operative care is an important aspect which decides whether the patient goes for transplant or not.

The information provided represents the views and opinions of Karetrip. It is crucial to conduct your own independent research before making any decisions regarding your healthcare journey. - Disclaimer