ERKNet Reference Center

Institution

Ljubljana, University Medical Centre

Center

Division of Paediatric, Department of Nephrology

Description

University Medical Centre Ljubljana is one of two University Medical Centres in Slovenia, it is the biggest and the most important one in the whole country, where we evaluate and treat the most complicated tertiary patients from the whole country. The same goes for its Paediatric Clinic, Department of Nephrology, which is the only Centre in the country where:

1. We treat children with CKD of grade 3 and more, and it is the only paediatric dialysis and transplantation unit in the country;

2. We can offer a complete diagnostic work-up of patients with TMA (ADAMTS13 activity, antibodies, complement profile, molecular-genetic testing) and its treatment from dialysis, plasma exchange and eculizumab/ravulizumab;

3. We can offer a complete work-up and treatment of patients with complicated secondary causes of arterial hypertension (MRA, arteriography, PTA, surgery of MAS,...);

4. We can offer a complete diagnostic work-up and treatment of primary and secondary glomerulopathies (including hereditary), tubulopathies, rare and inherited kidney diseases and systemic diseases with kidney involvement (renal biopsy with all kind of specific LM, IF and EM testing, molecular genetic testing and specific treatment (biological drugs, enzyme replacement treatment,...).

The Unit is a national centre of excellence for paediatric nephrology. It has 7 attending physicians, 2 residents, 20 renal nurses, 1 dietician, 1 clinical physiologist, 1 clinical pharmaceutical and a quarter of social worker. The unit is divided into semi-intensive care department with 11 – 12 beds (800 – 1000 hospitalizations per year), a service for haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis (3000 sessions performed per year) and renal transplantation, and outpatient clinic (6500 outpatient visits, which offers a specialised treatment for children with CAKUT, UTI, primary and secondary glomerulonephritis, arterial hypertension,... ) and ultrasound unit (more than 2000 US yearly).

With the help of an adult nephrology unit we provide also the full spectrum of acute renal replacement therapies, ranging from neonatal to adolescent in our ICU. The Unit is very well connected to the paediatric molecular genetic laboratory, immunopathology laboratory. It houses the academic activities for the Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine, the school of Paediatric and Nephrology, PhD School.

The Unit is a coordinating and participating Centre in several national in international studies, most of them being clinical ones. It is a member of ESPN CKD registry and ERKNet registry.

Team

Senior clinician experts
	Tanja Kersnik Levart (HCP Lead) [e-mail]
	Rina Rus (HCP Deputy Lead) [e-mail]
	Nina Battelino [e-mail]
	Matjaž Kopač [e-mail]
	Anamarija Meglič [e-mail]
	Gregor Novljan [e-mail]
Junior clinician experts
	Anja Blejc Novak [e-mail]
Clinicians in training
	Nina Olas Kar [e-mail]
	Tjaša Šinkovec Savšek [e-mail]
	Aleksandra Vujović [e-mail]