History

The beginnings of paediatric nephrology

Paediatric nephrology emerged as a recognised specialty during the 1950s and 1960s, driven by advances in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease in children. Dedicated paediatric renal services began to develop across the UK, with pioneering work led by Professor Gavin Arneil in Glasgow and later by colleagues in London, Birmingham and Manchester. At the same time, British clinicians played a leading role in the development of European and international paediatric nephrology through organisations such as the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology and the International Pediatric Nephrology Association.

The formation of the BAPN

The origins of the British Association for Paediatric Nephrology date back to October 1972, when eight clinicians met during the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology meeting in Dublin and agreed to establish a UK professional association for paediatric nephrology. The first formal meeting took place at the Institute of Child Health in London in February 1973.

From the outset, the Association deliberately adopted the name British Association for Paediatric Nephrology, rather than “of Paediatric Nephrologists”, to allow membership from across the wider professional community involved in paediatric kidney care, including surgeons, pathologists, radiologists and scientists.

Shaping paediatric kidney care

As the specialty grew, so did the BAPN’s role. Throughout the 1970s, 1980s and beyond, the Association helped shape the development of paediatric renal services across the UK by producing reports on service planning, workforce requirements and standards of care. It became an increasingly influential voice on education, specialist training, research, clinical audit and national policy, working closely with the Renal Association (now the UK Kidney Association), the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and other professional organisations.

Continuing to evolve

Today, the BAPN continues to provide professional leadership for paediatric nephrology within the UK Kidney Association. Building on the work of its founders, the Association supports education and specialist training, collaborative research, national clinical guidance, quality improvement and multidisciplinary working to improve the care of children and young people with kidney disease throughout the UK. Recent strategic work has focused on equitable access to services, transitional care for adolescents, workforce development, research and strengthening multidisciplinary care.