Associate Professor Tülay Becerir, a faculty member of the Pediatric Nephrology Department at PAU Hospitals, stated the following in her announcement: “As the Pediatric Nephrology Department of Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine, we would like to draw attention to the importance of kidney health in children within the scope of World Kidney Day 2026. Although kidney health is often considered together with adult diseases, the foundation of this process is actually laid during childhood, starting from the womb. Therefore, protecting children’s kidney health means protecting their healthy future. Today, our children are exposed to many environmental risks. Increasing temperatures, insufficient fluid intake, air pollution, unhealthy environmental conditions, and environmental toxins can negatively affect children’s kidney health. Since children are more sensitive to dehydration compared to adults, adequate fluid intake in hot weather is of great importance. In addition, access to clean water and clean air is an integral part of children’s health.”

“Awareness of Families Plays a Major Role in Protecting Children’s Kidney Health”

Prof. Dr. İlknur Girişgen included the following statements in her remarks: “As pediatric nephrology physicians, we know that simple but effective measures taken during childhood can prevent serious kidney diseases that may occur in later years. Ensuring that children drink sufficient water, maintain a balanced diet, are protected from unnecessary medication use, receive timely treatment for infections, and that children at risk are evaluated at an early stage are very valuable in this regard. Protecting kidney health is not limited to providing treatment only when a disease occurs. The essential point is to support living conditions that protect the kidneys from the very beginning. Therefore, it is very important for families to be aware, for children to acquire healthy habits at an early age, and to increase environmental awareness. On the occasion of World Kidney Day this year, we would like to remind once again that it is not enough to treat diseases for children to have a healthy future; it is also necessary to protect the environment in which they grow up. Because healthy children are possible with healthy environmental conditions. Protecting the kidneys is, in fact, protecting the future.”