Clifford Kashtan, MD and Michelle Rheault, MD give us the inside scoop on Alport Syndrome- when to consider the diagnosis, the role of a biopsy and genetic testing, benefits of early treatment and surveillance and management strategies.

Dr. Kashtan is a tenured Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota and an international expert in Alport Syndrome. He founded, and is still the director, of the Alport Syndrome Treatments and Outcomes (ASTOR) registry and is on the board of the Alport Syndrome Foundation. He has authored countless textbook chapters, articles and clinical research on the topic.

Dr. Rheault is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and division chief of pediatric nephrology at the University of Minnesota. She has a special interest in Alport Syndrome, nephrotic syndrome and genetic diseases. She serves the board of Women in Nephrology as well as the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium. She is an active clinical researcher and “Tweet-iatrician.”

Please reach out with comments/suggestions/feedback! [email protected]

Peter Harris, PhD and Christian Hanna, MD, MS from the Mayo Clinic discuss the genetic implications, screening and management of ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) in pediatric patients. 

Dr. Harris is a Professor of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Medicine and the Director of the Mayo Translational PKD Center. His lab discovered the PKD1, PKHD1, TSC2 and other PKD genes. His laboratory employs genetic, cell biological, and animal studies to better understand the pathogenesis of various cystic kidney diseases. His work is funded by the NIDDK.

Dr. Hanna is an assistant professor of pediatrics, on faculty at the Mayo Clinic as a pediatric nephrologist with a special interest in pediatric cystic kidney diseases including ADPKD and others. His research interests include looking at biomarkers that correlate with kidney cysts burden and ADPKD progression in children.