Kidney The kidneys are a pair of organs that are found on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage in the back. Kidneys: filter waste materials out of the blood and pass them out of the body as urine regulate blood pressure and the levels of water, salts, and minerals in the body produce hormones that control other body functions Damage to the kidneys can occur in people who have had diabetes for many years, particularly if the diabetes is not well controlled. Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.