Presentation of advocacy action plan for childhood nephrotic syndrome.

1. A Beautiful Life with Nephrotic
Syndrome
By: Ana Rodriguez
KINE 4354
PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCACY & LEADERSHIP
November 24, 2021
Childhoodnephroticsyndrome by unknown. Retrieved from https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/uncovering-genetic-factors-fuel-childhood-kidney-disease

2. Introduction
• My action plan will help families navigate with leading a healthy and
balanced life with the purpose to prevent any unnecessary relapses in
children living with nephrotic syndrome.
• Healthy, delicious, and affordable snacks and meal plans will be offered
to children with nephrotic syndrome.

3. Road Map
• Kailyn: My niece with nephrotic syndrome
• Childhood Nephrotic syndrome
• Importance of diet in children with nephrotic syndrome
• Mission
• Vision
• Objective
• Activities
• Potential partners
• Evaluation
• Conclusion

4. Story
• My niece Kailyn was diagnosed with Nephrotic syndrome at the
tender age of six, and it has been an exhausting roller coaster
watching her undergo various medical procedures due to this
disorder.
• This project is extremely important and dear to my heart
because I want to provide a source of hope to children and their
families going through this difficult and life changing journey.

5. Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome
• Nephrotic syndrome is a rare kidney disorder that
can occur in children and adults. The body excretes
too much protein into the urine that results in
extreme swelling.
• Childhood nephrotic syndrome is also called
nephrosis.
• Nephrotic syndrome happens when tiny structures
in the kidneys called glomeruli stop working
properly and let too much protein enter the
kidneys (NKF, 2017).
• The cause of this disease is typically unknown and
there is no cure.
• Treatments include steroid therapy, and
immunosuppressive medications.
Patient before and after the development of nephrotic syndrome by unknown. Retrieved from
https://www.stepwards.com/?page_id=1133

6. Importance of diet in children with
Nephrotic syndrome
• A healthy diet is important to every human being, but it is crucial for
individuals with this disorder.
• When families are aware of how detrimental a diet low in sodium is
and how it affects their child’s health, they will be eager to learn more.

7. Mission
• To provide nutritious and affordable snacks to
children with nephrotic syndrome that they will
enjoy.
• To provide free meal plans to parents so they can
begin leading a beautiful healthy life with their
children diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome.
Healthy heart by unknown. Retrieved from http://www.dietandi.com/a-healthy-heart-with-foods-that-cleanse-your-arteries/

8. Vision
• The vision is for children dealing with this
syndrome to feel like they can lead a “normal”
life without missing out on cute and yummy
snacks
• Healthy eating can be fun too, and children
with nephrotic syndrome do not have to be an
exception.
https://www.happiness.com/magazine/relationships/happy-children-kids/

9. Objective/ Goals
• Fund raising.
• Bring awareness to nephrotic syndrome.
• Teach families and children how to follow a healthy lifestyle.
• Emphasize the importance of a clean diet for nephrotic syndrome.

10. Activities
• Program activities will consist of cooking classes with parents and
children, to show them delicious and easy plates that are low on
sodium and sugar.
• Monthly or Biweekly cooking classes will be offered to parents and
children for a very low cost of $20. Our program will provide all
supplies and tools.
• Parents will be encouraged to try recipes from our free meal plan at
home and tag our organization through social media.

11. Potential partners
• The Nephrotic Syndrome Foundation
• National Kidney Foundation
• Texas Kidney Institute
• Children’s Medical center
• Texas Children’s hospital

12. Evaluation
• I will prove that my snacks are healthy and beneficial to children
dealing with nephrotic syndrome by showcasing before and after
photos of children that follow my proposed meal plans.
• Parents can leave an honest review without fear of our group deleting
negative reviews. Our action plan welcomes all opinions, good or bad.
• Transparency and honesty are the best policies, and the advocacy
action plan wants to be a place families dealing with nephrotic
syndrome come together to share the progress they have made.

13. Conclusion
• A healthy diet is important for everyone, and specially for individuals
that are immunocompromised.
• By cleaning out our family’s food pantry after the diagnosis and
hospitalization of my niece, it made the biggest difference in her
current health.
• It is tremendously difficult to avoid fast foods and high sodium foods,
but nothing beats having Kailyn grow up to be healthy and strong.
• It is possible to live a beautiful life with nephrotic syndrome.

14. References
• [ChildhoodNephroticSyndrome]. (2018, June 18). MHealthLab. https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/lab-report/uncovering-genetic-factors-fuel-childhood-kidney-disease
• Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome. (2017, February 3). National Kidney Foundation. Retrieved November 23, 2021, from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/childns
• Happy children. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Happiness.Com. https://www.happiness.com/magazine/relationships/happy-children-kids/
• Healthy Heart. (2013, January 11). [Photograph]. Diet and I. http://www.dietandi.com/a-healthy-heart-with-foods-that-cleanse-your-arteries/
• Patient before and after the development of nephrotic syndrome. (2016, January 13). [Photograph]. Stepwards. https://www.stepwards.com/?page_id=1133