What to Expect

• Fax us records. Ask your child’s primary care provider to fax us records about your child’s overall health and growth.
  • If faxing ahead of time, send to 206-985-3121.
  • If faxing 1 day before or the same day as the appointment, send to 206-985-3388.
• Provide test results related to your child’s condition. Most of the time, the doctor who refers you to Seattle Children’s will send copies of lab results, imaging studies, pathology slides and other helpful information. Ask your doctor to send them or bring copies.
• Learn more about what to do before your appointment.

On your first visit, you and your child will meet with several different members of the healthcare team. Here is what you can expect:

• Meet with your kidney doctor. The exam takes 45 minutes. Learn more about the Nephrology team.
• Tests. Most children get tests of their pee or blood. Many also need imaging studies such as an ultrasound of their kidneys.
• Meet other specialists. Your family may meet with other specialists who help care for your child. Depending on their diagnosis, your child may also meet a dietitian, social worker, physical therapist and nurse.
• Get answers to your questions. We will try to answer all of your questions. Please ask if anything is not clear.
• We will inform your primary care provider. Each provider who sees your child will write notes for your child’s medical chart. We will send a copy to your child’s primary care provider.

Often the team will be able to talk with you about a likely diagnosis for your child’s condition at the first visit. Sometimes the diagnosis is not made until after we review all test results. After that, the team will explain your child’s diagnosis and suggest a treatment plan.

We will call before your appointment if we have special requests (such as bringing a pee sample).

We ask all families to bring:

• Test results related to your child’s condition, if your primary care provider has not sent them already. This includes results of lab tests and imaging studies.
• Medicines or a list of them. Include nonprescription items like vitamins. Include the name, dose (amount) and instructions.
• Forms you need to have signed by our providers. For example, any school forms.
• Snacks for your child in case the appointment lasts longer than expected. If your visit is at the hospital campus, you may prefer to visit the hospital cafeteria.
• Books, small toys or tablets for your child to play with during their visit. The first clinic appointment may be a longer visit, depending on your child’s needs.

• Before you leave, we will give you information about what will happen next.
• Between clinic visits you can call 206-987-2524 if you have questions for our nurses.
• Call 206-987-2524 to make your next appointment.

• We will call you with test results.
• If you are a MySeattleChildren’s member, you can check online for some of your results.

Call 206-987-2524 as soon as possible.

Read about preparing for: 

• A visit to the Pediatric Hypertension Program
• A kidney transplant
• An ultrasound (PDF)

Learn more about preparing your child for a clinic visit.

Find your location in our map and directions section.

Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow time for registration.

More information

For more information on visiting Seattle Children’s clinics, please see Your Child’s Clinic Visit.