ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The clinical features of pediatric rhabdomyolysis differ from those of the adults with rhabdomyolysis; however, multicenter studies are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and reveal the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in such cases. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of children and adolescents diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis at 23 hospitals in South Korea between January 2007 and December 2016. RESULTS: Among 880 patients, those aged 3 to 5 years old composed the largest subgroup (19.4%), and all age subgroups were predominantly male. The incidence of AKI was 11.3%. Neurological disorders (53.6%) and infection (39.0%) were the most common underlying disorder and cause of rhabdomyolysis, respectively. The median age at diagnosis in the AKI subgroup was older than that in the non-AKI subgroup (12.2 years vs. 8.0 years). There were no significant differences in body mass index, myalgia, dark-colored urine, or the number of causal factors between the two AKI-status subgroups. The multivariate logistic regression model indicated that the following factors were independently associated with AKI: multiorgan failure, presence of an underlying disorder, strong positive urine occult blood, increased aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid levels, and reduced calcium levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed characteristic clinical and laboratory features of rhabdomyolysis in a Korean pediatric population and highlighted the risk factors for AKI in these cases. Our findings will contribute to a greater understanding of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and may enable early intervention against rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI.
ABSTRACT
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common primary glomerulopathies diagnosed in children and adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features in and outcomes of pediatric IgAN over the last 30 years. Patients who were diagnosed before age of 18 at 20 centers in Korea were evaluated retrospectively. Of the 1154 patients (768 males, 386 females) with a median follow-up of 5 years, 5.6% (n = 65) progressed to stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). The 10- and 20-year CKD-free survival rates were 91.2% and 75.6%, respectively. Outcomes did not differ when comparing those in Korea who were diagnosed prior to versus after the year 2000. On multivariate analysis, combined asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria as presenting symptoms and decreased renal function at the time of biopsy were associated with progression to CKD, while remission of proteinuria was negatively associated with this outcome. Patients who presented with gross hematuria or nephrotic syndrome tended toward positive outcomes, especially if they ultimately achieved remission. While remission of proteinuria might imply that the disease is inherently less aggressive, it also can be achieved by management. Therefore, more aggressive management might be required for pediatric-onset IgAN.