Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and alpha-Klotho (αKL) in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children, despite the progress in science and technology, is still a serious challenge. Early CKD detection gives a chance of early therapeutic intervention and lowering the progression of the disease. According to several publications indicating the possible use of alpha-Klotho (αKL) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) for the early detection of the disease in adults, an attempt was made to evaluate their usefulness in the paediatric population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 42 patients with CKD with a mean age of 10.7 years (18 girls and 24 boys). The control group involved 21 healthy children with a mean age of 8.4 years (11 girls and 10 boys). Anthropometrical parameters and blood pressure were taken and routine biochemical tests were performed in the whole group. The concentrations of TNFα and αKL in serum and urine were determined by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Children from the CKD group showed a statistically significant difference in serum TNFα and αKL in comparison to the control group. There was no significant relationship between the evaluated markers and sex, presence of hypertension, or proteinuria in the children. The mean αKL serum concentration was higher in patients on dialysis compared to the group of conservatively treated children, whereas the values of TNFα in serum and urine, as well as the αKL in urine, did not differ significantly in these groups. A significant positive correlation was found between serum αKL concentration and serum creatinine, but there was no other correlation between serum αKL or TNFα concentration and any of the measured anthropometric and laboratory parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Serum TNFα and αKL levels in children with chronic kidney disease, although being statistically different compared to the group of healthy children, except for the correlation of serum aKL and creatinine, showed no other correlations to the most parameters used for chronic kidney disease evaluation including, eGFR. Their usefulness in the early detection of kidney dysfunction in children was not proven.

Mild X-linked Alport syndrome due to the COL4A5 G624D variant originating in the Middle Ages is predominant in Central/East Europe and causes kidney failure in midlife.

A study of 269 children enrolled into a National Registry for children with persistent glomerular hematuria identified 131 individuals with genetically confirmed X-linked Alport Syndrome. A single variant c.1871G>A p.Gly624Asp (G624D) in COL4A5 was predominant and accounted for 39% of X-linked Alport Syndrome in unrelated Polish families (44 of 113). To evaluate its origins, the genetic variation in a 2.79 Mb segment encompassing the COL4A5 locus on chromosome X was assessed. All G624D alleles were found on the same rare haplotype background, indicating a founder effect dating back to the 12-13th century. The phenotypic data of 131 children with X-linked Alport Syndrome and their 195 affected adult relatives revealed that the G624D variant was associated with a significantly milder clinical course in comparison to other pathogenic COL4A5 variants. Furthermore the clinical course of this genetically uniform cohort was milder than that observed in individuals with other COL4A5 missense mutations. In spite of the benign clinical manifestation throughout childhood and early adulthood, the G624D variant confers significant risk for both kidney failure and deafness in males, albeit 20-30 years later than that observed in individuals with other COL4A5 pathogenic variants (50% cumulative risk of starting dialysis at 54 years (95% confidence interval: 50-62) v. 26 years (95% confidence interval: 22-30)). Thus, males with G624D are candidates for existing and emerging therapies for Alport Syndrome.

A rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus in a 9-year-old girl: Questions.

Serious renal involvement in systemic diseases is common and generally constitutes a pivotal prognostic factor, making those pathology frequently seen in nephrology departments. Authors describe the case of a nine-year-old girl with lupus nephritis. After admission the patient's state deteriorated over a period of a few days, with an unremitting high-grade fever, significant weakness and drowsiness, generalized erythema, and decrease of the kidney function to eGFR nadir of 56 ml/min/1,73m 2. Treatment with pulsed methylprednisolone was started. After the first pulse the general state of the patient improved slightly, although laboratory tests showed an alarming evolution, with the exacerbation of anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, increase of serum CRP concentration, extremely high D-dimer concentration and increase in activity of lactate dehydrogenase. The concentration of ferritin rose reaching the level of 540 µg/l, triglicerydes level was also high. Intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy was added to the ongoing steroid treatment, and resulted in a radical patient improvement. Authors underline that it seems important to be aware of rare, non-renal, but potentially devastating complications of systemic diseases, like in this clinical case: the secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). When HLH complicates a rheumatic disease, it is also referred to as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Unfortunately treatment of MAS is still based on reports provided by individual centres and gathered own experiences so drawing up unambiguous diagnostic criteria will be valuable in future. The treatment should be individually tailored, and more specific evidence-based recommendations are needed.

Non-dipping status and selected adipokines concentration in children with primary arterial hypertension.

High blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents is associated with increased risk of persistent hypertension (HT) in adulthood and, consequently, cardiovascular disease and target organ damage. AIM: The values of selected anthropometric parameters and laboratory test results including leptin and apelin concentration were evaluated with regard to averaged values of office BP measurements and 24-hour ABPM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 55 children: 23-with primary HT and coexisting overweight or obese (HT-OB), 16-with primary HT and normal weight (HT-NW), and 16 healthy children (C). RESULTS: The concentration of leptin and apelin in HT-OB children was significantly higher than in the C and HT-NW group. A similar finding for leptin level was demonstrated in comparison of HT-NW with C group. In children with HT-OB, the lack of decline in nocturnal DBP was associated with significantly higher BMI and the Cole's Index value. Children with HT-OB and lack of decline in nocturnal SBP showed lower leptin and insulin concentrations, and lower values of HOMA-IR as compared with dipping children. Positive correlation in the whole study group was found between adipokines levels and BP measurements. In conclusion, children with primary HT show higher concentration of adipokines compared with their healthy peers. The data on relationship of serum adipokines levels with anthropometric and BP parameters in children may be helpful to clarify the sequence of disturbances in the cardiovascular system in adults, which requires further examination.

Rare case of nephrocalcinosis in a 14-year-old girl: Questions.

A 14-year-old Caucasian girl with a history of primary hypoparathyroidism and unstable calcium and phosphorus levels and on ongoing treatment was admitted to the Department of Pediatric Nephrology because of the onset of nephrocalcinosis and difficulties achieving normocalcemia. Coexistence of hypoparathyroidism, oral candidiasis, dental enamel hypoplasia, and subclinical Hashimoto's disease was strongly suggestive for autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS) type I. One of the clinical implications of this diagnosis is the high probability of future occurrence of adrenal insufficiency and hence the importance of maintaining a high level of suspicion in case of the onset of symptoms like weakness, fainting, hypotonia, or hyperkaliemia. Addison's disease would, in fact, be quite challenging for the future management of this patient.This clinical quiz highlighted the importance of careful evaluation of all multiorgan symptoms occurring in a patient to prevent further complications.