Risk of cardiovascular involvement in pediatric patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if cardiovascular alterations are present in pediatric patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). STUDY DESIGN: Multicentre prospective clinical study on pediatric patients included in the RenalTube database ( www.renaltube.com ) with genetically confirmed diagnosis of XLH by mutations in the PHEX gene. The study's protocol consisted of biochemical work-up, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), carotid ultrasonography, and echocardiogram. All patients were on chronic treatment with phosphate supplements and 1-hydroxy vitamin D metabolites. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (17 females, from 1 to 17 years of age) were studied. Serum concentrations (X ± SD) of phosphate and intact parathyroid hormone were 2.66 ± 0.60 mg/dl and 58.3 ± 26.8 pg/ml, respectively. Serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) concentration was 278.18 ± 294.45 pg/ml (normal < 60 pg/ml). Abnormally high carotid intima media thickness was found in one patient, who was obese and hypertensive as revealed by ABPM, which disclosed arterial hypertension in two other patients. Z scores for echocardiographic interventricular septum end diastole and left ventricular posterior wall end diastole were + 0.77 ± 0.77 and + 0.94 ± 0.86, respectively. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 44.93 ± 19.18 g/m2.7, and four patients, in addition to the obese one, had values greater than 51 g/m2.7, indicative of left ventricular hypertrophy. There was no correlation between these echocardiographic parameters and serum FGF23 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: XLH pediatric patients receiving conventional treatment have echocardiographic measurements of ventricular mass within normal reference values, but above the mean, and 18% have LVMI suggestive of left ventricular hypertrophy without correlation with serum FGF23 concentrations. This might indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular involvement in XLH.

Novel mutations associated with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. A clinical-genetic study.

UNLABELLED: Molecular diagnosis is a useful diagnostic tool in primary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), an inherited disease characterized by renal inability to concentrate urine. The AVPR2 and AQP2 genes were screened for mutations in a cohort of 25 patients with clinical diagnosis of NDI. Patients presented with dehydration, polyuria-polydipsia, failure to thrive (mean ± SD; Z-height -1.9 ± 2.1 and Z-weight -2.4 ± 1.7), severe hypernatremia (mean ± SD; Na 150 ± 10 mEq/L), increased plasma osmolality (mean ± SD; 311 ± 18 mOsm/Kg), but normal glomerular filtration rate. Genetic diagnosis revealed that 24 male patients were hemizygous for 17 different putative disease-causing mutations in the AVPR2 gene (each one in a different family). Of those, nine had not been previously reported, and eight were recurrent. Moreover, we found those same AVPR2 changes in 12 relatives who were heterozygous carriers. Further, in one female patient, AVPR2 gene study turned out to be negative and she was found to be homozygous for the novel AQP2 p.Ala86Val alteration. CONCLUSION: Genetic analysis presumably confirmed the diagnosis of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in every patient of the studied cohort. We emphasize that we detected a high presence (50 %) of heterozygous females with clinical NDI symptoms. WHAT IS KNOWN: • In most cases (90 %), inherited nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is an X-linked disease, caused by mutations in the AVPR2 gene. • In rare occasions (10 %), it is caused by mutations in the AQP2 gene. What is new: • In this study, we report 10 novel mutations associated with NDI. • We have detected a high presence (50 %) of heterozygous carriers with clinical NDI symptoms.

Prospective Study of Modifiable Risk Factors of Arterial Hypertension and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Pediatric Patients on Hemodialysis.

Introduction: Fluid and salt overload in patients on dialysis result in high blood pressure (BP), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and hemodynamic instability, resulting in cardiovascular morbidity. Methods: Analysis of 910 pediatric patients on maintenance hemodialysis/hemodiafiltration (HD/HDF), prospectively followed-up with 2758 observations recorded every 6-months in the International Pediatric Hemodialysis Network (IPHN). Results: Uncontrolled hypertension was present in 55% of observations, with 27% of patients exhibiting persistently elevated predialysis BP. Systolic and diastolic age- and height-standardized BP (BP-SDS) were independently associated with the number of antihypertensive medications (odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.39-1.56, 1.36 [1.23-1.36]) and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG; 1.19 [1.14-1.22], 1.09 [1.06-1.11]; all P < 0.0001). IDWG was related to urine output (OR = 0.27 [0.23-0.32]) and dialysate sodium (dNa; 1.06 [1.01-1.10]; all P < 0.0001). The prevalence of masked hypertension was 24%, and HD versus HDF use was an independent risk factor of elevated age- and height-standardized mean arterial pressure (MAP-SDS) (OR = 2.28 [1.18-4.41], P = 0.01). Of the 1135 echocardiograms, 51% demonstrated LVH. Modifiable risk factors included predialysis systolic BP-SDS (OR = 1.06 [1.04-1.09], P < 0.0001), blood hemoglobin (0.97 [0.95-0.99], P = 0.004), HD versus HDF modality (1.09 [1.02-1.18], P = 0.01), and IDWG (1.02 [1.02-1.03], P = 0.04). In addition, HD modality increased the risk of LVH progression (OR = 1.23 [1.03-1.48], P = 0.02). Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) was prevalent in patients progressing to LVH and independently associated with predialysis BP-SDS below 25th percentile, lower number of antihypertensives, HD versus HDF modality, ultrafiltration (UF) rate, and urine output, but not with dNa. Conclusion: Uncontrolled hypertension and LVH are common in pediatric HD, despite intense pharmacologic therapy. The outcome may improve with use of HDF, and superior anemia and IDWG control; the latter via lowering dNa, without increasing the risk of IDH.

COVID-19 in children treated with immunosuppressive medication for kidney diseases.

BACKGROUND: Children are recognised as at lower risk of severe COVID-19 compared with adults, but the impact of immunosuppression is yet to be determined. This study aims to describe the clinical course of COVID-19 in children with kidney disease taking immunosuppressive medication and to assess disease severity. METHODS: Cross-sectional study hosted by the European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network and supported by the European, Asian and International paediatric nephrology societies. Anonymised data were submitted online for any child (age <20 years) with COVID-19 taking immunosuppressive medication for a kidney condition. Study recruited for 16 weeks from 15 March 2020 to 05 July 2020. The primary outcome was severity of COVID-19. RESULTS: 113 children were reported in this study from 30 different countries. Median age: 13 years (49% male). Main underlying reasons for immunosuppressive therapy: kidney transplant (47%), nephrotic syndrome (27%), systemic lupus erythematosus (10%). Immunosuppressive medications used include: glucocorticoids (76%), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (54%), tacrolimus/ciclosporine A (58%), rituximab/ofatumumab (11%). 78% required no respiratory support during COVID-19 illness, 5% required bi-level positive airway pressure or ventilation. Four children died; all deaths reported were from low-income countries with associated comorbidities. There was no significant difference in severity of COVID-19 based on gender, dialysis status, underlying kidney condition, and type or number of immunosuppressive medications. CONCLUSIONS: This global study shows most children with a kidney disease taking immunosuppressive medication have mild disease with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We therefore suggest that children on immunosuppressive therapy should not be more strictly isolated than children who are not on immunosuppressive therapy.

Frecuencia de mutaciones encontradas en niños con enfermedad renal crónica por síndrome nefrótico cortico-resistente / Frequency of mutations found in children with chronic kidney disease due to steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

RESUMEN La enfermedad renal crónica en niños puede tener como etiología un grupo cuya causa genética, incluye las anomalías congénitas del riñón y las vías urinarias y las nefropatías hereditarias. Objetivo: Describir la frecuencia de mutaciones en niños con síndrome nefrótico corticoresistente (SNRE). Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, tipo serie de casos, realizado en niños con SNRE, mediante el resultado de secuenciamiento directo de los genes; NPHS1, NPHS2, NPHP1 y WT1. Resultados: Se enrolaron 33 pacientes pediátricos con enfermedad renal crónica, 45,5% mujeres, edad promedio 13±7 años, 78,8% de raza mestiza, 24,2% consanguíneos, 60,6% se encontraban en hemodiálisis, 72,7% presentaban síndrome nefrótico cortico resistente y de ellos 8/24 (33,3%) presentó al menos una mutación en los genes; WT1, NPHS1, NPHP1y NPHS2 siendo la frecuencia de estas mutaciones de 37,5% (3/8), 25% (2/8), 25% (2/8) y 12,5% (1/8), respectivamente. Conclusiones: El 33,3% de los pacientes pediátricos con enfermedad renal crónica con síndrome nefrótico corticoresistente (SNRE) presentaron mutaciones, la más frecuente fue en el gen WT1.

SUMMARY Chronic kidney disease in children may be caused by a group of genetic abnormalities of the kidney, urinary tract and hereditary nephropathies. Objective: To report the frequency of mutations in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Methods: A multicentric case series among children with SRNS identified through direct sequencing of NPHS1, NPHS2, NPHP1 and WT1 genes. Results: 33 children were enrolled; 45.5% were females; mean age was 13±7 years; 78.8% were mestizo: 24.2% consanguineous; 60.6% were receiving dialysis: 72.7% had SRNS and 8/24 (33.3%) of them presented at least one mutation to WT1, NPHS1, NPHP1 and NPHS2 genes. Corresponding values for these mutations were 37.5% (3/8), 25% (2/8), 25% (2/8) and 12.5% (1/8), respectively. Conclusions: 33% of pediatric patients with SRNS presented gene mutations, the most frequent of these mutations was WT1.

Síndrome hemolítico urémico atípico en lactantes con mutaciones genéticas: Reporte de 3 casos / Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in infants, with genetic mutations, about three cases

RESUMEN El síndrome hemolítico urémico atípico (SHUa) es una entidad clínica considerada rara; sin embargo, es la causa más común de insuficiencia renal aguda en niños. Esta enfermedad se acompaña de anemia hemolítica microangiopática, trombocitopenia, retención nitrogenada y afectación de la función renal, por lo que representa alta morbilidad y compromiso sistémico. Se reportan tres casos de SHUa en lactantes que presentaron pródromos respiratorios, diarrea, anemia hemolítica y trombocitopenia, con pérdida de función renal. Estos casos mostraron que dicha patología está asociada a mutaciones en los genes: CFH (Complemento Factor H), MCP (Membrana Cofactor Proteín), CFHR1 (Complemento Factor H-Related Proteín1), CFHR5 (Complemento factor H-Related Protein 5) y el gen C3 (Complemento component 3). Los genes CFH y MCP se encontraron afectados en dos de los casos, mientras que el tercer caso mostró una mutación nueva no reportada en el gen C3. Estos resultados evidencian que estas mutaciones están presentes en el Perú, por lo que se debe investigar y establecer medidas de prevención para reducir el alto riesgo de morbilidad y mortalidad que presentan los niños portadores SHUa.

SUMMARY The atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare clinical entity, but it is the most common cause of acute kidney failure in kids. The disease is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure, and it is associated with high morbidity and systemic involvement. We report here three cases of aHUS in infants presenting with prodromal respiratory symptoms, diarrhea, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. aHUS cases depict mutations in several genes: membrane cofactor protein (MCP) and complement factor H related proteins 1 and 5 (CFH, RP1 and PR5. Two our patients showed mutations in the genes CFH and MCP, and one presented a new non-previously reported mutation in the gen C3. Our results emphasize the existence of these aHUS mutations and underscore the need to study them to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Poor phenotype-genotype association in a large series of patients with Type III Bartter syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Type III Bartter syndrome (BS) is an autosomal recessive renal tubule disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the CLCNKB gene, which encodes the chloride channel protein ClC-Kb. In this study, we carried out a complete clinical and genetic characterization in a cohort of 30 patients, one of the largest series described. By comparing with other published populations, and considering that 80% of our patients presented the p.Ala204Thr Spanish founder mutation presumably associated with a common phenotype, we aimed to test the hypothesis that allelic differences could explain the wide phenotypic variability observed in patients with type III BS. METHODS: Clinical data were retrieved from the referral centers. The exon regions and flanking intronic sequences of the CLCNKB gene were screened for mutations by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct Sanger sequencing. Presence of gross deletions or duplications in the region was checked for by MLPA and QMPSF analyses. RESULTS: Polyuria, polydipsia and dehydration were the main common symptoms. Metabolic alkalosis and hypokalemia of renal origin were detected in all patients at diagnosis. Calciuria levels were variable: hypercalciuria was detected in 31% of patients, while 23% had hypocalciuria. Nephrocalcinosis was diagnosed in 20% of the cohort. Two novel CLCNKB mutations were identified: a small homozygous deletion (c.753delG) in one patient and a small deletion (c.1026delC) in another. The latter was present in compound heterozygosis with the already previously described p.Glu442Gly mutation. No phenotypic association was obtained regarding the genotype. CONCLUSION: A poor correlation was found between a specific type of mutation in the CLCNKB gene and type III BS phenotype. Importantly, two CLCNKB mutations not previously described were found in our cohort.

A case of methanol poisoning in a child.

We report the case of a girl admitted to the emergency room with a history of four hours' acute illness, characterized by nausea, vomiting, salivation, headache, blurred vision, and acidotic "Kussmaul" breathing. Arterial blood gases showed severe mixed acidosis, metabolic and respiratory with high anion gap. She had ingested the contents of a scent bottle containing methanol, which she thought was a soft drink bottle. The girl was managed with hemodialysis and strong intravenous hydration. She improved well and made a full recovery.

Depressive symptomatology in children and adolescents with chronic renal insufficiency undergoing chronic dialysis.

This paper presents a descriptive study, using the Birleson Scale to determine the frequency of depressive symptomatology in children and adolescents with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD). There were 67 patients (40 female and 27 male) with a mean age of 14.76 ± 2.71 years, duration of illness ≥3 months, 43 (64.18%) patients with CPD and 24 (35.82%) undergoing HD. The frequency of high occurrence, low occurrence, and absence of depressive symptomatology was 10.45% (n = 7), 43.28% (n = 29), and 46.27% (n = 31), respectively; all of the seven (100%) patients with high occurrence of depressive symptomatology were female (P = 0.04), and none of these (0%) had a friend to confide in (P = 0.03). Depressive symptomatology in patients with CPD was associated with a lower weekly K(t)/V compared to those without depressive symptomatology (2.15 ± 0.68 versus 2.52 ± 0.65; P = 0.01). There was no association with patient age, caregiver, time and dialysis type, anemia, bone disease, nutritional or financial status, origin, schooling, or employment.

Resistencia antibiótica en infecciones urinarias en niños atendidos en una institución privada, periodo 2007-2011 / Antibiotic resistance of pathogens causing urinary tract infections in children attended at a private institution from 2007-2011

La resistencia antibiótica es un serio problema de salud, sobre todo en pacientes con recurrencia de episodios y anomalías del sistema urinario. Objetivo: Describir el patrón de resistencia antibiótica de las bacterias causantes de la infección del tracto urinario (ITU) como primer episodio, recurrente o complicada en niños menores de 5 años. Material y métodos: Estudio tipo serie de casos observacional, retrospectivo y descriptivo. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de ITU con cultivo de orina positivo, durante un periodo de 5 años en una institución de salud privada. Resultados: Se incluyeron 111 niños de 1 mes a 5 años; 97 (87,4%) fueron mujeres; 68 (61,3%) fueron lactantes; hubieron 77 pacientes con ITU, 34 con ITU recurrente o complicada. Escherichia coli (63,1%) fue el microorganismo más frecuente en todos los grupos. La resistencia antibiótica fue: ampicilina 80,6%, cefalotina 59%, amoxicilina/clavulánico 55,4%, trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol 51,6%, ácido nalidixico 51%, cefalexina 40%, cefotaxima 31%, cefuroxima 29,8%, ceftriaxona 28,6%, ceftazidima 27,3%, norfloxacino 21,2%, ciprofloxacino 21,1%; y con menos resistencia fueron nitrofurantoína 17%, gentamicina 13,2%, amikacina 1%. Conclusiones: La resistencia antimicrobiana para los antibióticos usados para el tratamiento de ITU es alta para las aminopenicilinas, sulfas, cefalosporinas de primera, segunda y tercera generación así como quinolonas; los aminoglucósidos aún presentan muy baja resistencia porque lo que serían útiles para la terapia de primera elección.

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern among patients with urinary tract infections (UTI), particularly among those with recurrent infections and in those with urinary tract anomalies. Objective: Describe the antimicrobial resistant pattern of bacterial pathogens causing UTI including fist episodes, recurrent episodes and complicated UTIs in children below 5 years of age. Methods: Retrospective case-series over a 5-year period that included patients with confirmed UTI whose charts were reviewed to extract relevant data. Results: A total of 111 children were included from 1 month to 5 years of age; 97 (87,4%) were females; 68 (61,3%) were breastfed; 77% had UTI; 34 had recurrent or complicated UTI. Escherichia coli (63,1%) was the most common pathogen in all age groups, and the antibiotic resistance profile was as follows: 80,6% to ampicillin, 59% to cefalotine, 55,4% to amoxicillin-clavunaic acid, 51,6% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazol, 51% to nalidix acid, 40% to cephalexin, 31% to cefotaxime, 29,8% to cefuroxime, 28,6% to ceftriaxone, 27,3% to ceftazidime, 21,2% to norfloxacin, 21,1% to ciprofloxacin, 17% to nitrofurantoin, 13,2% to gentamycin and 1% to amikacin. Conclusions: There is a high antibiotic resistance profile to most of the common antimicrobials used to treat UTIs. Aminolgycosides are the first choice based on their antibiotic resistant profile.

Síndrome urémico hemolítico atípico de presentación neonatal / Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome of neonatal presentation

El Síndrome urémico hemolítico (SUH) tiene formas típicas y atípicas. Se describe una variedad de formas genéticas con pobre pronóstico. Presentamos un bebé prematuro de 36 semanas, de bajo peso al nacer, quien a las 2 semanas de vida cursó con sepsis y necrosis intestinal siendo sometido a cirugía para realizarle ileostomía. Evolucionó con hipertensión arterial, hematuria, falla renal aguda y proteinuria persistente. A los 2 meses de vida, posterior al cierre de ileostomía, cursó con shock séptico y falleció. La biopsia renal post mortem mostró cuadro compatible de SUH. Dos años después, un hermano debutó a los 2 días de vida con síndrome nefrótico congénito. El estudio genético reveló que la madre era portadora del gen NPHS1 y el padre, del Factor I de complemento. El segundo hijo era portador de ambos genes.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) has typical and atypical presentations. A variety of genetic forms, with poor prognosis are described. We report a 36 week premature baby, low birth weight, who at 2 weeks of life evolved with sepsis and intestinal necrosis undergoing surgery for ileostomy, hypertension, hematuria, acute renal failure and persistent proteinuria. At 2 months, after ileostomy closure, developed irreversible septic shock and died. Postmortem renal biopsy was compatible with HUS. Two years later, a brother presented after 2 days of birth with congenital nephrotic syndrome. Genetic studies revealed that the mother was carrying the gene NPHS1 and the father, factor I of complement. The second child was a carrier of both genes.

Factors associated with mortality in acute renal failure (ARF) in children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the factors that affect the mortality in acute renal failure (ARF) in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 149 patients with ARF and described the findings by age, gender, pathophysiological mechanism of renal damage, and type of renal damage, which can be oligoanuric and/or septic. We used multiple logistic analysis, Cox analysis for survival, and Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: The male/female ratio was 91/58. The most affected age groups were newborns (44.3%) and infants (37.6%). The ARF mechanism was ischemic in 87 cases (58%) and the most frequent clinical type was nonoliguric in 118 cases (79.2%). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, only oliguria (P=0.07) and age group (P=0.049) were associated with mortality. In the survival analysis using the Cox method, oliguria (P=0.003) and sepsis (P=0.03) were associated with mortality. The survival curves showed that the cumulative probability of dying in the first 10, 20, or 40 days after the event was 75, 70, and 45% respectively. When oliguria was present, the survival at day 10 was 47% and when sepsis was present it was 68%. CONCLUSION: Oliguria, age, and sepsis are factors associated with mortality in children with ARF.

Síndrome nefrótico y Linfoma de Hodgkin: reporte de dos casos / Nephrotic syndrome and Hodgkin lymphoma: a case report

Se presentan dos pacientes con síndrome nefrótico sensibles a corticoides y lesiones compatibles con Linfoma de Hodgkin. En uno se encontró una masa mediastinal en la evolución y en el otro un nódulo pulmonar. En ambos casos la biopsia mostró, a la microscopia óptica, hallazgos compatibles con linfoma de Hodgkin Luego de la quimioterapia presentaron remisión de la enfermedad renal.

We report two patients with Corticosensitive nephrotic syndrome and Hodgkin Lymphoma. In one case was found a mediastinal mass during its evolution and in the other, a lung nodule. In both cases, biopsy was performed and the results were consistent with Hodgkin Lymphoma. After chemotherapy had remission of renal disease.