[Safety and efficacy of polyethylene glycol 3350 plus electrolytes for the treatment of functional constipation in children]. / Seguridad y eficacia del polietilenglicol 3350 con electrolitos en el tratamiento del estreñimiento funcional en niños.

INTRODUCTION: Polyethylene glycol 3350 plus electrolytes (PEG+E) efficacy has been validated in some studies, but not many have evaluated its safety in children. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety; renal, malabsorption or excessive production of gas and efficacy of PEG+E treatment in our paediatric population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients who suffered functional constipation (Rome III criteria) were evaluated. Median age was 6.2 years (r 2-9). All patients had normal renal function. PEG+E were administered for 4 weeks (4WP). The mean dose was 0.44 g/kg/day, titrated according to age, weight and response. Urine screens (sodium and osmolality) were performed at the beginning and 4WP. Stool sample NIRA (near-infrared reflectance analysis) and hydrogen breath test analysis samples were performed at 4WP. To analyse the efficacy of the treatment, the number of stools per week and stool form type (Bristol stool scale) were recorded. RESULTS: The number of stools per week was higher after 4 weeks (2.46 ± 0.71 vs 5.29 ± 1.68, P<.001), as well as the stool form score (2.47 ± 1.24 vs 4.5 ± 0.91, P<.001). No statistical differences were obtained between urine sodium and urine osmolality values at the beginning and 4WP. After 4WP the NIRA median values were normal in all patients [fat 4.45% (range (r) 3.6-7.09); nitrogen 0.78% (r 0.4-1); sugars 1.4% (r 0.47-2.35) and water 68% (r 59-74)]. Median breath hydrogen test was 7 ppm (r 2-18). CONCLUSIONS: No adverse effects on biochemistry values or gastrointestinal disturbances were observed. PEG+E can be recommended for the treatment of functional constipation in children.

[Mid-aortic syndrome: case studies from a paediatric nephrology department]. / Síndrome de aorta media.

INTRODUCTION: Mid-aortic syndrome (MAS) describes a narrowing segment of the abdominal aorta and the branches arising from there. This narrowing frequently involves the renal arteries, with the only clinical sign being arterial hypertension. OBJECTIVE: To review the cases of MAS diagnosed in the Paediatric Nephrology Department of the Vall D'Hebron Hospital (Barcelona). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective study was conducted on 5 patients aged from 8 days to 12 years old. We analysed the onset, diagnostic examinations, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: Hypertension was the common reason behind the study. In two of the five cases, it was associated with renal failure. The definitive diagnostic was made using angiography and angio-MR, observing, in all the cases, that the renal arteries were affected (in 3 cases unilateral). The treatment was by medication in 3 cases, 1 required surgery and 1 died at 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: MAS, although uncommon, is a very important cause of AHT in infancy. Angiography is the only technique to diagnose it. It is important to rule out cerebral involvement, which could lead to a fatal outcome. Hypertension is very difficult to control through medication. Surgery is required only when the hypertension is not controllable through medication, when there is intermittent claudication, intestinal angina, and renal hypoperfusion. Ideally, it is better to opt for medication as treatment, as the narrowing is progressive up to the end of puberty, after which, the narrowing stabilises.

Mycophenolic Acid reaches therapeutic levels whereas mycophenolate mofetil does not.

BACKGROUND: In kidney transplanted children, it is difficult to obtain blood levels of mycophenolic acid between 2 and 4 microg/mL, when mycophenolate mofetil doses up to 30 mg/kg/d are given two or three times a day. We proposed that using mycophenolic acid, instead of the salt mycophenolate mofetil, may help us to reach target levels. AIM: We sought to describe the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid in eight kidney transplanted children over a period of 1.2 +/- 0.8 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients (5 boys and 3 girls) aged 7.0 +/- 1.8 years received cadaveric kidney transplantations. Induction with basiliximab was followed by cyclosporine (n = 4) or tacrolimus (n = 4), tapered steroids (withdrawal at 12 months in six cases and maintained at 0.15 mg/kg/d in two cases), and mycophenolate mofetil (25 to 30 mg/kg/d two or three times a day). For 1.0 +/- 0.3 years mycophenolic acid levels were between 0.8 +/- 0.3 microg/mL. When mycophenolic acid sodium tablets were available, all patients were switched to this drug. RESULTS: After the conversion, blood levels obtained at 8 +/- 3 days were 1.5 to 5.0 microg/mL (median, 3.2), which were far closer to the target 2 to 4 microg/mL. No gastrointestinal disorders were observed with the follow-up of 72 +/- 18 days. CONCLUSION: Mycophenolic acid sodium reaches therapeutic levels whereas mycophenolate mofetil does not. If mycophenolic acid were available in syrup form, it could be used in patients under 5 years of age. It is necessary to follow these patients to rule out enzymatic induction.