Paediatric rhabdomyolysis: A UK centre's 10-year retrospective experience.

AIMS: To describe the aetiologies of paediatric rhabdomyolysis and explore the medium-term renal consequences. METHODS: Retrospective, single-centre review of children with rhabdomyolysis. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-two children met inclusion criteria for the analysis. Mean age at presentation was 8.4 (SD ± 5.5) years. The commonest aetiology was infection (28%), with viral myositis making up the clear majority (75%). Trauma was identified as a cause in 18% of children, seizures in 10% and immune-mediated mechanisms in 8%. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was present in 32% of the cases overall. Children with AKI tended to be younger, with higher peak creatine kinase (CK) and active urinary sediment on urinalysis at presentation. AKI and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) were associated with a prolonged hospital stay (15 (interquartile range, IQR 6.5-33) vs. 2 (IQR 0-7) days). A total of 18 children and young people required RRT, with a mean duration of 7.1 ± 4.3 days. Those who received RRT were more likely to have abnormalities on urinalysis at presentation (46% vs. 5%). Over the period of the study, 9% of children died and 2% met criteria for a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: This large paediatric rhabdomyolysis case series provides new and unique insights into the condition. Our results highlight the common aetiologies and provide evidence of good renal recovery overall, even in the most severely affected cases. Abnormalities of urinalysis appear to be important in predicting the development of AKI and the need for RRT.

Use of Telemedicine in Pediatric Services for 4 Representative Clinical Conditions: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine is becoming routine in health care. Postpandemic, a universal return to face-to-face consultations may risk a loss of some of the advantages of telemedicine. However, rapid implementation and adoption without robust evaluation of usability, efficacy, and effectiveness could potentially lead to suboptimal health outcomes and downstream challenges to providers. OBJECTIVE: This review assesses telemedicine interventions against international guidance and sufficiency of evidence to support postpandemic utilization in pediatric settings. METHODS: This scoping review was performed following searches on PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases on April 15, 2021, and May 31, 2022, and examined studies focused on telemedicine, remote consultation, video call, or remote patient monitoring in children (0-18 years) receiving outpatient care for diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, or renal disease. Exclusion criteria included studies published before 2011 as the technologies used have likely been improved or replaced, studies in adult populations or where it was not possible to disaggregate data for participants younger than 18 years as the focus of the review was on pediatric care, and studies not published in English. Data were extracted by 4 authors, and the data were corroborated by a second reviewer. Studies were examined for feasibility and usability, clinical and process outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. RESULTS: Of the 3158 studies identified, 56 were suitable for final inclusion and analysis. Data on feasibility or usability of interventions (48 studies) were overwhelmingly positive in support of telemedicine interventions, with common themes including convenience, perceived cost savings, and ease of use. However, use in preference to usual care was rarely explored. Clinical and process outcome data (31 studies) were mostly positive. Across all studies, there was limited measurement of standardized clinical outcomes, although these were more commonly reported in asthma (peak flow) and diabetes (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c]). Implementation science data generally supported cost-effectiveness of telemedicine with a reduction of health care costs. CONCLUSIONS: There is promising evidence supporting telemedicine in pediatric settings. However, there is a lack of evaluation of telemedicine in comparison with usual outpatient care for noninferiority of clinical outcomes, and this review highlights the need for a more standardized approach to evaluation of digital interventions.

Unilateral Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney Management: A National Survey.

Risks of contralateral kidney abnormalities and chronic kidney disease necessitate follow-up for unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidneys (MCDK). A nationwide survey of senior UK pediatricians was conducted. Of the 60 responses obtained, 62% routinely perform a dimercaptosuccinic acid scan to confirm diagnosis. Eight percent routinely perform a cystogram to investigate contralateral vesicoureteric reflux. Sixty-two percent would routinely measure renal function (frequency ranging from once only to "every 2 years"). Twenty-five percent recalled MCDK nephrectomy being performed within the previous 5 years. Respondents voiced concerns that national guidance may result in an overcautious approach but could balance consensus and safe variation, and offer families choice and reassurance. The mean estimated cost of follow-up from birth to 18 years ranged from £258 to £3854. Results demonstrate significant variation in management, highlighting the need for a clear pathway to decrease unwanted variability and to ensure those at high risk of renal sequelae are recognized early, without undue investigatory burden.

Renal outcomes in tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU) is a rare condition characterised by bilateral uveitis and interstitial nephritis. There is no nationally, or internationally agreed upon treatment regimen. A systematic review was undertaken to report the renal outcomes in TINU, and treatments used. METHODS: Medline (1969-2021) and EMBASE (1988-2021) databases were searched for primary studies, clinical practice guidelines and case reports of adult and paediatric TINU cases, as defined by Mandeville criteria. Two reviewers identified articles meeting inclusion criteria (registered with PROSPERO). Data were extracted into a synthesis table and meta-analysis performed. Quality of case series was also assessed. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two articles were identified, totalling 257 cases included in the meta-analysis. Females were more commonly affected than males (2:1), and median age was 19 years. GFR at follow-up correlated with nadir GFR, and the proportion with GFR <90 ml/min/1.73 m2 was statistically different between adult and paediatric groups. Of the entire cohort, 40% had GFR <90 ml/min/1.73 m2 at follow-up. Glucocorticoid monotherapy was the most common treatment (70%); other strategies included no treatment (9%) and immunosuppressant drugs (e.g. azathioprine), mostly in steroid-resistant cases, or as 'steroid-sparing' alternatives. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of literature regarding TINU is limited to case reports and case series. There are no prospective trials assessing the effects of different treatments on renal outcomes, and currently employed treatment strategies are physician-specific without a reliable evidence-base. Prospective data collection as part of multicentre trials should be a research focus to improve the evidence-base.