Dr Tom Forbes
Paediatric Nephrologist
Clinical Interests
Dr Tom Forbes specialises in the treatment of kidney disease in children including:
- recurrent urinary tract infection
- daytime and/or night-time wetting
- hydronephrosis and other congenital kidney problems
- cystic and other genetic kidney diseases
- isolated haematuria or proteinuria
- nephrotic syndrome
- glomerulonephritis
- hypertension
- medical management of kidney stones and
- chronic kidney disease in children.
Dr Forbes works as a consultant in the Department of Paediatric Nephrology at the Royal Children’s Hospital where he is also involved in the care of dialysis and kidney transplant patients.
Dr Forbes recognises that kidney disease may cause distress for children and families and works with families and GP’s to address these problems by placing a strong emphasis on communication and individualisation of care.
Background & Experience
Dr Forbes completed his medical degree at Monash University in Melbourne in 2005 and subsequently trained in paediatrics at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. He trained in the United Kingdom for three years (Cambridge, Birmingham and Nottingham) and completed a Post-Graduate Award in the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease at the University of Warwick in 2012. Dr Forbes returned to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne in 2013 and completed his training with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in Paediatric Nephrology and General Paediatrics.
Research Interests
Dr Forbes is currently undertaking a PhD with the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute/University of Melbourne examining the genetic basis for cystic kidney disease.
He is a member of the International Paediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) and the Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Nephrology Association (ANZPNA) and regularly attends and presents at national and international paediatric nephrology conferences.
Selected Publications & Presentations →
- Forbes, T.A., Howden S.E., Lawlor K., Phipson B., Maksimovic J. et al. Patient-iPSC-Derived Kidney Organoids Show Functional Validation of a Ciliopathic Renal Phenotype and Reveal Underlying Pathogenetic Mechanisms. Am J Hum Genet. 2018 Apr 21. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.03.014. [Epub ahead of print]
- Little, M.H., Takasato, M., Soo, J.Y.C. and Forbes, T.A., Recapitulating development to generate kidney organoid cultures. In Tsuji, T (ed.). Organ regeneration based on developmental biology. 2017; Singapore: Springer; pp.193-222
- Forbes TA, Malhotra A, Fahey M, Smith CS. Image of the Month: Bizarre Eye Movements in a Newborn. J Paediatr Child Health [In press] Accepted 30th November 2015
- Hernstadt H, MacGreggor D, Walker A, Forbes T. Idiopathic, membranoproliferative variant of immunoglobulin A nephropathy in a 13 year old boy. (Poster presented at the Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology ASM, September 2015, Canberra)
- Shanthikumar S, White S, Quinlan C, Walker A, Forbes T. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia and cystic renal dysplasia in two neonates with 17q12 deletion. (Poster presented at the Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology ASM, September 2015, Canberra)
- Forbes TA, McMinn A, Crawford N, Leask J, Danchin M. Vaccination uptake by vaccine-hesitant parents attending a Specialist Immunisation Clinic in Australia. Hum Vaccin Immunother [Epub] 14th Sep 2015 (Orally presented at the Public Health Association of Australia 14th National Immunisation Conference, June 2014, Melbourne)
- Forbes TA, Watson AR, Zurowska A et al. Adherence to transition guidelines in European paediatric nephrology units. Pediatr Nephrol. 2014;29(9):1617-24
- Forbes TA, Lunn A. Montelukast: a novel therapeutic option in eosinophilic peritonitis Pediatr Nephrol. 2014;29(7):1279-82
- Blaze K, Forbes T, Quinlan C, Walker A. Unexplained Nephrotic Range Proteinuria In A Consanguineous 2-year-old Boy. (Poster presented at Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Aug, 2014, Melbourne)
- Forbes TA, Quinlan C, Kausman J, Walker AM, Culnane E. Development of a Nephrology Transition Program Following Positive Outcomes Reported by Patients and Parents Transitioned in Other Specialties. (Poster presented at Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Aug, 2014, Melbourne)
- Forbes TA, Shaw L, Millard Z, Kausman J, Walker AM, Quinlan C. Just a Spoonful of Sugar – Medical Grade Honey for Paediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Exit-Site Infection: A Case Series. (Poster presented at Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Aug, 2014, Melbourne)
- Forbes TA, Quinlan C, Macknamara E, Walker AM, Kausman J. Is daily laboratory surveillance of the paediatric, post-renal transplant recipient worthwhile? A cost-benefit analysis. (Orally presented at Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Aug, 2014, Melbourne)
- Forbes TA, Bradbury MG, Goodship THJ, McKiernan PJ, Milford DV. Changing strategies for organ transplantation in atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome: a tertiary case series. Pediatr Transplant. 2013; 17(3): E93-E99.
- Lunn A, Forbes TA. Haematuria and proteinuria in childhood. Pediatr Child Health. 2012; 22(8): 315-321.
- Forbes T, O’Donnell R. Anaphylactoid reaction to facial adder bite. Arch Dis Child. 2011; 96(9): 822.
- Forbes T, Goeman E, Stark Z, Hynson J, Forrester M. Discussing withdrawing and withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment in a tertiary paediatric hospital: A survey of clinician attitudes and practices. J Paediatr Child Health. 2008; 44: 392-398.
Hospitals Accredited (Public and Private)
- Paediatric Nephrologist, the Royal Children’s Hospital
- PhD Candidate, Kidney Development, Disease and Regeneration Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute