EXPERT
Dr. Fredrick A. McCurdy, MD
Nephrologist (Pediatric)
Dr. McCurdy is a pediatric nephrologist who has been in practice for more than 40 years and is currently serving as both a practicing Pediatric Nephrologist and the STAR Kids Medical Director for the Driscoll Health Plan in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Dr. McCurdy graduated with his Medical Degree and PhD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1976, both with Distinction. He holds an additional Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He completed his Pediatric residency at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and his Pediatric Nephrology fellowship at the University of Minnesota Health Sciences Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. McCurdy is double board certified in Pediatrics and in Pediatric Nephrology and has earned the coveted titles of Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Fellow of the American Association for Physician Leadership.
As a pediatric nephrologist, Dr. McCurdy specializes in the diagnosis and management of children with a variety of acute and chronic kidney-related disorders. His Expert Blog will focus on these various diseases, treatments, and research for pediatric patients suffering from conditions such as; hypertension, hematuria, proteinuria, renal tubular acidosis, nephrolithiasis, glomerulonephritis, and kidney failure.
Dr. McCurdy graduated with his Medical Degree and PhD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1976, both with Distinction. He holds an additional Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He completed his Pediatric residency at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and his Pediatric Nephrology fellowship at the University of Minnesota Health Sciences Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. McCurdy is double board certified in Pediatrics and in Pediatric Nephrology and has earned the coveted titles of Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Fellow of the American Association for Physician Leadership.
As a pediatric nephrologist, Dr. McCurdy specializes in the diagnosis and management of children with a variety of acute and chronic kidney-related disorders. His Expert Blog will focus on these various diseases, treatments, and research for pediatric patients suffering from conditions such as; hypertension, hematuria, proteinuria, renal tubular acidosis, nephrolithiasis, glomerulonephritis, and kidney failure.
49 years
Experience
Dr. Frederick McCurdy
- Corpus Christi, TX
- University of Nebraska College of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
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After a kidney transplant, what would my child's life be like?
He will no longer need dialysis. He will be on a few extra medicines that prevent his body from rejecting the new kidney. He will initially be very susceptible to some severe infections, READ MORE
He will no longer need dialysis. He will be on a few extra medicines that prevent his body from rejecting the new kidney. He will initially be very susceptible to some severe infections, so you'll need to take special precautions and not have him exposed to other people who are ill. These are general things that I will tell families of children who are going to receive a transplant. The transplant team will typically have a long conversation with you before the transplant is done, and they usually give families lots of information to read and become familiar with. But there is increased freedom now that dialysis is not required, and energy levels typically go up because of a general feeling that he is no longer as sick as he was.
Should I be concerned about kidney conditions in my son?
It all depends upon what condition you are talking about. Genetic diseases have patterns of inheritance. Also, some kidney diseases run in families without a specific genetic inheritance READ MORE
It all depends upon what condition you are talking about. Genetic diseases have patterns of inheritance. Also, some kidney diseases run in families without a specific genetic inheritance pattern. I would need to know the particular conditions you are referring to.
What does protein in urine mean?
It can be as simple as having a fever, exercising, or having a urinary tract infection. I could also mean this is afternoon urine, and many people will have some amount of protein READ MORE
It can be as simple as having a fever, exercising, or having a urinary tract infection. I could also mean this is afternoon urine, and many people will have some amount of protein in their urine that increases in the afternoon, which is called postural proteinuria. Then, it could be related to diabetes, which is poorly controlled, or high blood pressure, which is poorly controlled. Then we get into the more serious problems, such as nephrotic syndrome and what are called glomerulopathies. These require the expertise of a nephrologist to sort out.
What medications help with a UTI?
If you have a urine culture result, your doctor can prescribe based on those results. Advising on antibiotics is best when there are facts to support the reply.
When does a UTI turn into a kidney infection for children?
A UTI is an infection of the genitourinary system (kineys, ureter, and bladder) while a kidney infection is an infection that involves the kidney and usually more. The typical READ MORE
A UTI is an infection of the genitourinary system (kineys, ureter, and bladder) while a kidney infection is an infection that involves the kidney and usually more. The typical treatment is to increase fluids, get a urine culture done to know exactly what is infecting the system and then use s short course of antibiotics targeted to that specific causative bacteria. Declining antibiotics is a bit problematic as this usually requires antibiotics to cure.
What could be the frequent urination?
Have your doctor check you for diabetes and to see if you can make a really concentrated (dark) urine. That is where I would start.
My daughter's urine output throughout the day is quite low. Could this be caused by a kidney issue?
The most likely explanation is low not drinking enough water. If you're concerned, have your doctor check her kidney function and at the same time do a urinalysis to see if he/she READ MORE
The most likely explanation is low not drinking enough water. If you're concerned, have your doctor check her kidney function and at the same time do a urinalysis to see if he/she can detect anything abnormal.
My son needs to have a kidney ultrasound. What should we expect?
Some cool jelllay on his back and on his abdomen if both a prone and supine study is done. Lay still and breath as the technician asks. That's about it.
What is the treatment for a child's kidney infection?
First determine that there are bacteria in the urine in quantities that are consistent with a UTI. Then drink plenty of fluids and take the right antibiotic until the prescription READ MORE
First determine that there are bacteria in the urine in quantities that are consistent with a UTI. Then drink plenty of fluids and take the right antibiotic until the prescription is all gone.
Can a kidney infection be fixed with antibiotics?
Yes, as long as you are taking the correct antibiotic, drinking plenty of fluids, and doing everything your doctor asks.
What should my son be eating for his kidney health?
Only if his doctor has determined that the infection has altered his kidney function. As a general rule, the DASH diet (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/dash/following-dash) READ MORE
Only if his doctor has determined that the infection has altered his kidney function. As a general rule, the DASH diet (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/dash/following-dash) is the one I recommend because it reduces the risk of high blood pressure, is excellent in helping people with kidney stones not firm new stones, and is ideal for losing weight if combined with adequate exercise.
Does cranberry juice help a UTI in kids?
Very controversial.....the literature does not support this as a strategy, but there have been some of my patients that believe it was the only thing that prevented UTIs. I remain READ MORE
Very controversial.....the literature does not support this as a strategy, but there have been some of my patients that believe it was the only thing that prevented UTIs. I remain skeptical. Here's something that might help (https://nortonchildrens.com/news/5-power-foods-better-urinary-health/)
What is the treatment for a child's kidney infection?
Generally antibiotics in the case of a bacterial infection. I trust that your doctor has done a urine culture to determine the bacterial species and the antibiotic resistance pattern READ MORE
Generally antibiotics in the case of a bacterial infection. I trust that your doctor has done a urine culture to determine the bacterial species and the antibiotic resistance pattern along with choosing the right antibiotic.
Can my son survive on one kidney?
A person can live quite a long and normal life with one kidney. As long as the unaffected size is normal and growing at a more rapid rate than normal, your son should do fine. READ MORE
A person can live quite a long and normal life with one kidney. As long as the unaffected size is normal and growing at a more rapid rate than normal, your son should do fine. You need to have a conversation with your primary doctor and your nephrologist to get a more accurate picture of the kidney that is not affected.
My child has frequent UTIs -- What's wrong?
While it is unlikely that any damage to your child's kidneys has occurred (based upon her age), likely explanations are improper female hygiene when voiding and/or defecating or READ MORE
While it is unlikely that any damage to your child's kidneys has occurred (based upon her age), likely explanations are improper female hygiene when voiding and/or defecating or what we call dysfunctional voiding (infrequent voiding or vaginal voiding). These are things that a general pediatrician should be able to diagnose and treat, and I would strongly urge you to stay in touch with your daughter's pediatrician. Finally, a kidney ultrasound is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to look for any evidence of changes in your daughter's kidneys and I might consider that but before we go into doing imaging, I would first make certain your daughter doesn't have any high blood pressure readings and that she doesn't have abnormal amounts of protein/blood in her urine (indicators that there might be something going on with her kidneys that deserves further investigation.
My 15 year old son has been diagnosed with kidney stones. How can this be treated?
I would need to know what the stone is made of and/or information obtained by analyzing the contents of your son's urine to have a better idea of what to do next. This testing READ MORE
I would need to know what the stone is made of and/or information obtained by analyzing the contents of your son's urine to have a better idea of what to do next. This testing goes by several different names, but we call it a stone risk profile, and it's a careful look at the chemical contents of your son's urine.
