ERKNet Reference Center

Institution

Vilnius, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos

Center

Competence Center for Congenital Kidney Disorders and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract

Description

Vilnius University Hospital Santaros klinikos (VUH SK) is one of the major health care providers in Lithuania, covering whole Lithuanian population. Pediatric nephrology services in VUH SK are provided for almost 30 years. The multidisciplinary team dedicated to patients with rare kidney diseases consists of highly specialized experienced specialists and due to complete coverage of all pediatric and adult subspecialties by the hospital can be extended as needed. The experience of the multidisciplinary team includes majority of rare kidney diseases (i.e. hereditary and immune-mediated glomerulopathies, tubulopathies, thrombotic microangiopathies, renal malformations, obstructive nephropathies, pediatric CKD management, pediatric dialysis and renal transplantation).
VUH SK offers a wide spectrum of diagnostic and treatment services. These include modern genetic diagnostics, advanced radiological investigations, immunological testing, dialysis (hemo- and peritoneal), CRRT, plasma exchange, immunoadsorbtion, pediatric renal transplantation (incl. ABO incompatible and highly sensitized patients), pediatric liver transplantation (from 12 years), state-of-the-art pharmacological therapies (rituximab, eculizumab), etc. Gaps in diagnostic or treatment services are constantly improved by implementing new technologies/treatments or collaboratoring with external (international) centers.
Most of the e-Health services required for efficient medical data exchange within and outside the hospital are available (including, telemedicine technologies, histological slides digitalization, patient e-records). Evidence based guidelines are constantly created for rare kidney diseases and are regularly reviewed. Multidisciplinary team specialists participate in continuous professional qualification training (incl. trainings in leading international centers, conference attendance).
VUH SK pediatric nephrologists have long-term experience in participating in rare kidney disease research and participate in numerous international and national research activities along with initiating local research projects and regularly commencing clinical trials for rare kidney diseases. Members of the multidisciplinary team are national or regional coordinators of several research studies for rare kidney disease. In addition, Vilnius University is the leading university in Lithuania, also providing full spectrum of medical education. VUH SK is the major center for the young fellows training with a specialized pediatric nephrology and adult nephrology training programs.
Being the largest pediatric nephrology service provider in the Baltic states, VUH SK could contribute to the centralization of region's patients, cohort building in trials initiated by Network members, cooperate in creation of Network and regional guidelines, education and training.

Team

Senior clinician experts
	Augustina Jankauskiene (HCP Lead) [e-mail]
	Gilvydas Verkauskas (HCP Deputy Lead) [e-mail]
	Rimante Cerkauskiene [e-mail]
Junior clinician experts
	Karolis Azukaitis [e-mail]
Clinicians in training
no image	Victoras Sutkus [e-mail]
Clinical geneticists
no image	Birute Burnyte [e-mail]
Nephropathologists
no image	Arvydas Laurinavicius [e-mail]
no image	Arvydas Laurinavicius [e-mail]