COVID-19 in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease; Does it Differ Much?

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is known to have a mild course in children, however more data on pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) is needed. We aimed to assess the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in pediatric CKD patients. METHODS: A questionnaire including demographics, COVID-19 history, symptoms, and vaccination status was applied to patients with CKD. We also retrospectively reviewed the presentation and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this patient group from March 2020 to December 2021. RESULTS: 220 patients were included, 48 were found to have experienced COVID-19. There was no significant difference regarding age, gender, underlying kidney disease, CKD stage, dialysis status, type or number of immunosuppressive medications, and glomerular filtration rate between patients with and without COVID-19. Most were infected by a household member (43.8%) and during outpatient or inpatient care (18.8%). Four (8.3%) were asymptomatic, and 43 (89.6%) had mild infection. Severe COVID-19 was observed in only one patient. Eleven (22.9%) patients with COVID-19 were previously vaccinated. Acute kidney injury was detected in 4 (8.3%); as stage 1 in all. Median follow-up after COVID-19 was 4.6 months. All patients fully recovered, and no renal disease flare or death was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although the vaccination rate was low in our cohort, the majority of the children with COVID-19 showed a mild course. Along with the vaccination, general precautions seemed to be successful for this population.

Acute kidney injury in children with moderate-severe COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a referral center experience.

BACKGROUND: Data on the characteristics of acute kidney injury (AKI) in pediatric COVID-19 and MIS-C are limited. We aimed to define the frequency, associated factors and early outcome of AKI in moderate, severe or critical COVID-19 and MIS-C; and to present a tertiary referral center experience from Türkiye. METHODS: Hospitalized patients ≤ 18 years of age with confirmed COVID-19 or MIS-C at Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital, Hacettepe University, between March 2020-December 2021 were enrolled. The characteristics of AKI in the COVID-19 group were investigated in moderate, severe and critically ill patients; patients with mild COVID-19 were excluded. RESULTS: The median (Q1-Q3) age in the COVID-19 (n = 66) and MIS-C (n = 111) groups was 10.7 years (3.9-15.2) and 8.7 years (4.5-12.7), respectively. The frequency of AKI was 22.7% (15/66) in COVID-19 and 15.3% (17/111) in MIS-C; all MIS-C patients with AKI and 73.3% (11/15) of COVID-19 patients with AKI had AKI at the time of admission. Multivariate analyses revealed need for vasoactive/inotropic agents [Odds ratio (OR) 19.233, p = 0.002] and presence of vomiting and/or diarrhea (OR 4.465, p = 0.036) as independent risk factors of AKI in COVID-19 patients; and need for vasoactive/inotropic agents (OR 22.542, p = 0.020), procalcitonin and ferritin levels as independent risk factors of AKI in the MIS-C group. Age was correlated with lymphocyte count (r = -0.513, p < 0.001) and troponin level (r = 0.518, p < 0.001) in MIS-C patients. Length of hospital stay was significantly longer in both groups with AKI, compared to those without AKI. Mortality was 9.1% in the COVID-19 group; and was associated with AKI (p = 0.021). There was no mortality in MIS-C patients. AKI recovery at discharge was 63.6% in COVID-19 survivors and 100% in MIS-C patients. CONCLUSIONS: Independent risk factors for AKI were need for vasoactive/inotropic agents and vomiting/diarrhea in moderate, severe or critical COVID-19 patients; and need for vasoactive/inotropic agents and severe inflammation in MIS-C patients. Our findings suggest that inflammation and cardiac dysfunction are associated with AKI in MIS-C patients; and the association with age in this group merits further studies in larger groups. Early outcome is favorable; long-term follow-up for kidney functions is needed.

A rare cause of nephrotic syndrome-sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (SGPL1) deficiency: 6 cases and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Recently, recessive mutations in SGPL1 (sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase), which encodes the final enzyme of sphingolipid metabolism, have been reported to cause steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, and many other organ/system involvements. We aimed to determine the clinical and genetic characteristics, and outcomes in patients with SGPL1 mutations. METHODS: The study included 6 patients with bi-allelic SGPL1 mutation. Clinical, genetic, and laboratory characteristics, and outcomes of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. We also reviewed previously reported patients with SGPL1 mutations and compared them to the presented patients. RESULTS: The median age at kidney presentation was 5 months. Four patients (67%) were diagnosed before age 1 year. Kidney biopsy showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 2 patients and diffuse mesangial sclerosis in one patient. Steroids were given to 3 patients, but they did not respond. All 6 patients progressed to chronic kidney disease; 5 required kidney replacement therapy (KRT) at a median age of 6 months. Deceased kidney transplantation was performed in one patient. All 6 patients had adrenal insufficiency, of which 5 were diagnosed at age < 6 months. Three patients had hypothyroidism, 2 had ichthyosis, 4 had immunodeficiency, 5 had neurological findings, and 2 had genitourinary system anomalies. Four patients died at a median age of 30.5 months. Two patients are being followed up with KRT. One patient had a novel mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SGPL1 mutations have a poor prognosis, and many types of extrarenal organ/system involvement beyond adrenal insufficiency can be seen. Genetic diagnosis of such patients is important for treatment, genetic counseling, and screening for comorbid conditions. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

A splice site mutation in the TSEN2 causes a new syndrome with craniofacial and central nervous system malformations, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Recessive mutations in the genes encoding the four subunits of the tRNA splicing endonuclease complex (TSEN54, TSEN34, TSEN15, and TSEN2) cause various forms of pontocerebellar hypoplasia, a disorder characterized by hypoplasia of the cerebellum and the pons, microcephaly, dysmorphisms, and other variable clinical features. Here, we report an intronic recessive founder variant in the gene TSEN2 that results in abnormal splicing of the mRNA of this gene, in six individuals from four consanguineous families affected with microcephaly, multiple craniofacial malformations, radiological abnormalities of the central nervous system, and cognitive retardation of variable severity. Remarkably, unlike patients with previously described mutations in the components of the TSEN complex, all the individuals that we report developed atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) with thrombotic microangiopathy, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, proteinuria, severe hypertension, and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) early in life. Bulk RNA sequencing of peripheral blood cells of four affected individuals revealed abnormal tRNA transcripts, indicating an alteration of the tRNA biogenesis. Morpholino-mediated skipping of exon 10 of tsen2 in zebrafish produced phenotypes similar to human patients. Thus, we have identified a novel syndrome accompanied by aHUS suggesting the existence of a link between tRNA biology and vascular endothelium homeostasis, which we propose to name with the acronym TRACK syndrome (TSEN2 Related Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, Craniofacial malformations, Kidney failure).

Hemangioma fusocelular en las fosas nasales y los senos etmoidales en un lactante de 4 meses de edad / Spindle cell hemangioma of nasal passage and ethmoidal sinus in a 4-month old infant

El hemangioma fusocelular es una neoplasia vascular benigna infrecuente. Afecta la dermis y la hipodermis de la parte distal de las extremidades; la afectación de la cabeza y el cuello es muy poco frecuente y nunca se informó compromiso de los senos paranasales. Este es el caso de un lactante de 4 meses con obstrucción nasal desde las 2 semanas debido a un tumor en los senos etmoidales que obstruía las fosas nasales. Se diagnosticó hemangioma fusocelular y se extirpó parcialmente el tumor. A los seis meses de seguimiento, se observó una regresión mínima con lesiones residuales. A los 30 meses, se observó que el tumor residual había desaparecido. El hemangioma fusocelular es infrecuente en cabeza y cuello y, a veces, la presentación no es indicativa del diagnóstico. El examen histopatológico ayuda con el diagnóstico diferencial y el tratamiento. La sensibilización sobre el hemangioma fusocelular podría aumentar los casos informados.

Spindle cell hemangioma (SCH) is a benign unusual vascular neoplasm. It does not have gender predilection and can occur at all ages. The disease affects dermis and subcutis of distal extremities predominantly; head and neck involvement is very rare, paranasal sinus involvement has not been reported before. Herein we present a 4-month-old infant with nasal obstruction since two weeks of age due to a mass in ethmoid sinus obliterating the nasal passage. After the histopathological diagnosis of SCH, the tumor was partially resected. In the sixth month follow-up, there was minimal regression of residual lesions. In the imaging studies performed 30 months after the surgery, the residual mass was found to be disappeared. SCH is not frequent in the head and neck, and presentation of some patients may not suggest the diagnosis. Histopathology is important for differential diagnosis and to orientate treatment. Awareness of SCH may increase the reported cases

Spindle cell hemangioma of nasal passage and ethmoidal sinus in a 4-month old infant. / Hemangioma fusocelular en las fosas nasales y los senos etmoidales en un lactante de 4 meses de edad.

Spindle cell hemangioma (SCH) is a benign unusual vascular neoplasm. It does not have gender predilection and can occur at all ages. The disease affects dermis and subcutis of distal extremities predominantly; head and neck involvement is very rare, paranasal sinus involvement has not been reported before. Herein we present a 4-month-old infant with nasal obstruction since two weeks of age due to a mass in ethmoid sinus obliterating the nasal passage. After the histopathological diagnosis of SCH, the tumor was partially resected. In the sixth month follow-up, there was minimal regression of residual lesions. In the imaging studies performed 30 months after the surgery, the residual mass was found to be disappeared. SCH is not frequent in the head and neck, and presentation of some patients may not suggest the diagnosis. Histopathology is important for differential diagnosis and to orientate treatment. Awareness of SCH may increase the reported cases.

El hemangioma fusocelular es una neoplasia vascular benigna infrecuente. Afecta la dermis y la hipodermis de la parte distal de las extremidades; la afectación de la cabeza y el cuello es muy poco frecuente y nunca se informó compromiso de los senos paranasales. Este es el caso de un lactante de 4 meses con obstrucción nasal desde las 2 semanas debido a un tumor en los senos etmoidales que obstruía las fosas nasales. Se diagnosticó hemangioma fusocelular y se extirpó parcialmente el tumor. A los seis meses de seguimiento, se observó una regresión mínima con lesiones residuales. A los 30 meses, se observó que el tumor residual había desaparecido. El hemangioma fusocelular es infrecuente en cabeza y cuello y, a veces, la presentación no es indicativa del diagnóstico. El examen histopatológico ayuda con el diagnóstico diferencial y el tratamiento. La sensibilización sobre el hemangioma fusocelular podría aumentar los casos informados.

Predictors for the use of herbal and dietary supplements in children and adolescents with kidney and urinary tract diseases.

Complementary and alternative medicine are treatments administered alone or in combination with conventional medical treatments. Data on complementary and alternative medicine use in children with kidney and urinary tract diseases are limited. In this cross-sectional study, the frequency and preferred methods of complementary and alternative medicine use and factors associated with their use were evaluated in 201 patients (48% female; median age, 11 years; median disease duration, 5.1 years) with kidney and urinary tract diseases and 260 healthy (without chronic disease) controls. Data were collected through a questionnaire-based interview and patients' medical records. Herbal and dietary supplements, including fish oil, were the most commonly used complementary and alternative medicine agents in both groups. There was no difference in herbal and dietary supplement use between the groups when fish oil was excluded (29% vs. 28%; p = 0.88). Herbal and dietary supplements were mainly used to improve/mitigate renal disease (52%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that disease duration > 7 years (odds ratio (OR), 3.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.48-9.20), current use of six or more drugs (OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 1.28-24.41), and recurrent urinary tract infection or nephrolithiasis (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.02-15.09) were the independent risk factors for herbal and dietary supplement use, except fish oil. Middle socioeconomic status was associated with decreased herbal and dietary supplement use, except fish oil, compared with low socioeconomic status (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.11-0.81). Herbal and dietary supplements were used by 78% patients, despite knowing that these products could have side effects; only 42% of the patients shared the information about herbal and dietary supplement use with their doctors.Conclusion: Herbal and dietary supplement use is frequent in children with kidney and urinary tract diseases. Educating health professionals regarding such use is mandatory for developing strategies to prevent critical consequences. What is Known: • Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices are therapeutic approaches that do not have sufficient efficacy and safety evidence. • CAM is widely used in healthy children and in certain chronic diseases. What is New: • Herbal and dietary supplements (HDSs) were the most commonly used method in kidney and urinary tract diseases. • Duration of disease, number of drugs, and socioeconomic status are determinants of HDS use except fish oil.

A Fanconi-Bickel syndrome patient with a novel mutation and accompanying situs inversus totalis.

Tastemel-Öztürk T, Bilginer-Gürbüz B, Teksam Ö, Sivri S. A Fanconi-Bickel syndrome patient with a novel mutation and accompanying situs inversus totalis. Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 693-695. Fanconi-Bickel syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, caused by mutations in the SLC2A2 gene, that codes for the glucose transporter protein 2 (GLUT2). The disease is characterized by proximal renal tubular dysfunction, impaired glucose and galactose utilization, and accumulation of glycogen in the liver and kidney. Signs and symptoms of Fanconi-Bickel syndrome begin in infancy and include failure to thrive, hepatomegaly, hypophosphatemic rickets, and short stature. Here in we report a Turkish Fanconi-Bickel syndrome case who also has situs inversus totalis and a novel mutation that has not been described before.