Predictive factors of progression to chronic glomerulonephritis in pediatric patients with post streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: Post streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) patients have favorable prognosis, in which most patients showed full recovery in terms of kidney function. However, there is a slight chance ranging from 3 to 6% that PSAGN patients develop chronic kidney diseasewhich may progress into end-stage kidney disease in later life. It is important to identify the factors that can predict the development of chronic glomerulonephritis following PSAGN. Therefore, early intervention can be performed to halt the progression of chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to determine the predictive factors of chronic glomerulonephritis in pediatric patients with PSAGN. METHODS: This study was an analytical observational study with retrospective cohort design. The accessible population was children within the age of 2-18 years old who were admitted with PSAGN between January 2015 and December 2020 in Dr. Sardjito General Hospital Yogyakarta. All anonymized patient data were evaluated for demographic variables, clinical features, laboratory profiles and outcome. Multivariate analysis was performed with multivariate logistic regression method. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients with PSAGN were obtained from medical record data. There were 65 patients (52.4%) with chronic glomerulonephritis. Bivariate analysis was performed on assumed predictive factors with the results indicating massive proteinuria with hypoalbuminemia (OR 1.670, 95%CI 1.199-2.326; p = 0.003), oliguria (OR 1.517, 95%CI 1.101-2.089; p = 0.028) and macroscopic hematuria (OR 1.647, 95%CI:1.061-2.555; p = 0.013) were significantly higher in the PSAGN group with chronic glomerulonephritis compared to those without. Results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed massive proteinuria with hypoalbuminemia (OR 2.896, 95%CI 1.177-7.123, p = 0.021) and macroscopic hematuria (OR 2.457, 95%CI ,1.018-5.933, p = 0.046) would highly predict chronic glomerulonephritis in subjects with PSAGN. CONCLUSION: We concluded that massive proteinuria with hypoalbuminemia and macroscopic hematuria are the predictive factors which highly predict chronic glomerulonephritis in PSAGN.

Acute glomerulonephritis with concurrent suspected bacterial pneumonia - is it the tip of the iceberg?

BACKGROUND: Post infectious glomerulonephritis is the most common glomerulopathy in children, occurring several weeks after nephritogenic streptococcal throat or skin infection. Reports of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) occurring during active bacterial pneumonia in children are rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of AGN concurrent with bacterial pneumonia in children. METHODS: We reviewed records of all children admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia to the pediatric department in a single tertiary medical center between January 2015 and April 2023. Patients with bacterial pneumonia and concurrent glomerulonephritis were included. RESULTS: Eleven (0.98%) of 1,123 patients with bacterial pneumonia had concurrent AGN. All were males with a median age of 2.7 years (range 1-13). Mean time from bacterial pneumonia onset to acute glomerulonephritis symptoms was 2.7 ± 1.5 days. Five (45%) patients had evidence of pneumococcal infection. Hypertension was found in 10 (91%) patients. Mean trough eGFR was 43.5 ± 21.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 (range 11-73). Ten patients (91%) had low C3 levels. Median urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio was 2.5 mg/mg (IQR 2.15-14.75). All patients fully recovered. Microscopic hematuria was the last finding to normalize after a median of 29.5 days (IQR 17.25-38). CONCLUSION: AGN during bacterial pneumonia may be more frequent than previously recognized. Kidney prognosis was excellent in all patients. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the impact of this condition.

Analysis of Risk Factors of Urinary Tract Infection in Acute Glomerulonephritis Children: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the risk factors of urinary tract infection (UTI) in acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) children. METHODS: It selected 175 children (86 cases with AGN and 89 cases with AGN and UTI) in Yantai Mountain Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 for clinical research, comparatively analysed the clinical data, such as urine protein, serum protein, cholesterol, immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)), and used logistic regression analysis to screen out the independent risk factors of AGN with UTI. RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that UTI was not related to gender, use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, cholesterol, HDL, IgM and immunoglobulin A (p > 0.05) but related to age, dosage of dopamine, urine protein, serum protein, LDL, IgG and Lp (a) (p < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, dosage of dopamine ≥3 µg/kg/min, urine protein, serum protein, LDL, IgG and Lp (a) were independent risk factors of UTI in AGN children. CONCLUSIONS: Age, dosage of dopamine, urine protein, serum protein, LDL, IgG and Lp (a) were correlated with the occurrence and development of UTI. The use of high-dose dopamine in younger children could lead to higher levels of urinary protein, LDL and Lp (a), resulting in a higher risk of UTI in AGN patients with lower levels of serum protein and IgG. Therefore, attention should be paid to such patients, and intervention measures should be taken promptly in clinic.

Case report: A pediatric case of MPO-ANCA-associated granulomatosis with polyangiitis superimposed on post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis.

An eight-year-old girl was admitted with vomiting, gross hematuria, and progressive renal dysfunction. A renal biopsy revealed endocapillary proliferative glomerulopathy and crescent formation. Immunofluorescence staining revealed diffuse granular deposits of IgG and C3. Post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) was suspected, based on the elevated anti-streptolysin O levels, decreased serum C3 concentrations, and histologic findings. The myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) test was positive, and the young patient gradually developed palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis (PNGD), orbital and paranasal sinus granulomatous neoplasms, along with intermittent nose, head, and orbital pain. Finally, she was diagnosed with the rare MPO-ANCA-associated granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) superimposed on PSAGN. The patient was treated with aggressive renal replacement therapy, methylprednisolone pulse therapy, and intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide; her renal function normalized, and her pain symptoms improved.

Analysis of Risk Factors of Urinary Tract Infection in Acute Glomerulonephritis Children: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to explore the risk factors of urinary tract infection (UTI) in acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) children. Methods: It selected 175 children (86 cases with AGN and 89 cases with AGN and UTI) in Yantai Mountain Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 for clinical research, comparatively analysed the clinical data, such as urine protein, serum protein, cholesterol, immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)), and used logistic regression analysis to screen out the independent risk factors of AGN with UTI. Results: The univariate analysis showed that UTI was not related to gender, use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, cholesterol, HDL, IgM and immunoglobulin A (p > 0.05) but related to age, dosage of dopamine, urine protein, serum protein, LDL, IgG and Lp (a) (p < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, dosage of dopamine ≥3 µg/kg/min, urine protein, serum protein, LDL, IgG and Lp (a) were independent risk factors of UTI in AGN children. Conclusions: Age, dosage of dopamine, urine protein, serum protein, LDL, IgG and Lp (a) were correlated with the occurrence and development of UTI. The use of high-dose dopamine in younger children could lead to higher levels of urinary protein, LDL and Lp (a), resulting in a higher risk of UTI in AGN patients with lower levels of serum protein and IgG. Therefore, attention should be paid to such patients, and intervention measures should be taken promptly in clinic (AU)

The C3 conundrum.

A 62-year-old man with nephritic syndrome underwent a kidney biopsy which revealed a C3 dominant pattern on immunofluorescence. A diagnosis of C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) was suspected. However, a recent skin infection and high levels of anti-streptococcal antibodies were indicative of post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN). This paper compares PIGN and C3G and describes an atypical form of PIGN with alternative complement pathway dysregulation.

Targeted Therapy for Glomerulonephritis Using Arterial Delivery of Encapsulated Etanercept.

Complex immunosuppressive therapy is prescribed in medical practice to patients with glomerulonephritis to help them overcome symptoms and prevent chronic renal failure. Such an approach requires long-term systemic administration of strong medications, which causes severe side effects. This work shows the efficiency of polymer capsule accumulation (2.8 ± 0.4 µm) containing labeled etanercept (100 µg per dose) in the kidneys of mice. The comparison of injection into the renal artery and tail vein shows the significant superiority of the intra-arterial administration strategy. The etanercept retention rate of 18% and 8% ID in kidneys was found 1 min and 1 h after injection, respectively. The capsules were predominantly localized in the glomeruli after injection in mice using a model of acute glomerulonephritis. Histological analysis confirmed a significant therapeutic effect only in animals with intra-arterial administration of microcapsules with etanercept. The proposed strategy combines endovascular surgery and the use of polymer microcapsules containing a high molecular weight drug that can be successfully applied to treat a wide range of kidney diseases associated with glomerular pathology.

Acute Kidney Injury: Medical Causes and Pathogenesis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical syndrome characterized by a sudden decline in or loss of kidney function. AKI is not only associated with substantial morbidity and mortality but also with increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). AKI is classically defined and staged based on serum creatinine concentration and urine output rates. The etiology of AKI is conceptually classified into three general categories: prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal. Although this classification may be useful for establishing a differential diagnosis, AKI has mostly multifactorial, and pathophysiologic features that can be divided into different categories. Acute tubular necrosis, caused by either ischemia or nephrotoxicity, is common in the setting of AKI. The timely and accurate identification of AKI and a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that cause kidney dysfunction are essential. In this review, we consider various medical causes of AKI and summarize the most recent updates in the pathogenesis of AKI.

Niño de 5 años con macrohematuria ¿Sabríamos ante qué glomerulopatía estamos? / Five-year-old with macrohematuria... Would we know what glomerulopathy we’re dealing with?

Presentamos el caso de un escolar de 5 años que consulta en nuestro servicio por macrohematuria. Tras confirmarse el origen glomerular de la misma se sospecha glomerulonefritis aguda postestreptocócica debido al antecedente de infección faringoamigdalar, sin embargo el complemento es normal. Presenta deterioro rápido y progresivo de función renal, por lo que es diagnosticado de glomerulonefritis aguda rápidamente progresiva. Se realiza biopsia renal, donde se evidencia semilunas en un 81% de los glomérulos y depósitos de C3, compatible con glomerulonefritis aguda postinfecciosa. Inmediatamente después, se inicia tratamiento corticoideo presentando una evolución excelente y con recuperación completa de la función renal. Solo el 10-20% de la glomerulonefritis aguda postinfecciosas cursan con niveles de complemento normal, y solo el 0,5% de los casos se manifiesta como una glomerulonefritis rápidamente progresiva. La macrohematuria en niños puede suponer un reto diagnóstico. En ocasiones las manifestaciones son muy variable y superponibles a diferentes causa y hasta la biopsia no podemos llegar a un diagnóstico fiable.(AU)

We present the case of a 5-year-old school boy who consulted our department for asymptomatic macrohematuria. After confirming the glomerular origin, poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis was suspected due to a history of pharyngotonsillar infection, however the complement is normal. He presents rapid and progressive deterioration of kidney function, which is why he is diagnosed with rapidly progressive acute glomerulonephritis. A renal biopsy was performed, showing crescents in 81% of the glomeruli and C3 deposits, compatible with acute post-infectious glomerulonephritis. Immediately afterwards, corticosteroid treatment was started, with excellent progress and complete recovery of kidney function. Only 10-20% of acute post-infectious glomerulonephritis present with normal complement levels, and only 0.5% of cases manifest as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Macrohematuria in children can be a diagnostic challenge. Sometimes the manifestations are very variable and can be attributed to different causes and until the biopsy we cannot reach a reliable diagnosis.(AU)

Nephritis-Associated Plasmin Receptor (NAPlr): An Essential Inducer of C3-Dominant Glomerular Injury and a Potential Key Diagnostic Biomarker of Infection-Related Glomerulonephritis (IRGN).

Nephritis-associated plasmin receptor (NAPlr) was originally isolated from the cytoplasmic fraction of group A Streptococci, and was found to be the same molecule as streptococcal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and plasmin receptor (Plr) on the basis of nucleotide and amino acid sequence homology. Its main functions include GAPDH activity, plasmin-binding capacity, and direct activation of the complement alternative pathway (A-P). Plasmin trapped by deposited NAPlr triggers the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, such as glomerular basement membranes and mesangial matrix, and the accumulation of macrophages and neutrophils, leading to the induction of plasmin-related endocapillary glomerular inflammation. Deposited NAPlr at glomerular endocapillary site directly activates the complement A-P, and the endocapillary release of complement-related anaphylatoxins, C3a and C5a, amplify the in situ endocapillary glomerular inflammation. Subsequently, circulating and in situ-formed immune complexes participate in the glomerular injury resulting in NAPlr-mediated glomerulonephritis. The disease framework of infection-related glomerulonephritis (IRGN) has been further expanded. GAPDH of various bacteria other than Streptococci have been found to react with anti-NAPlr antibodies and to possess plasmin-binding activities, allowing glomerular NAPlr and plasmin activity to be utilized as key biomarkers of IRGN.

Acute Vision Loss and Conjunctival Hemorrhage as Telltale Symptoms of PIMS-TS.

There is a global concern about children presenting with inflammatory syndrome with variable clinical features during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This paper reports the first pediatric case of bilateral serous retinal detachment and conjunctival hemorrhage as a revealing pattern of the pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS). Despite the severity of multisystemic involvement, the management with steroids was very successful. Complete remission was obtained within 3 months of acute onset.

Unusual presentation of familial Mediterranean fever with co-existing polyarteritis nodosa and acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) and polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) may occur simultaneously after streptococcal infection in a child who is previously healthy but carries a Mediterranean fever (MEFV) mutation. The homozygous M694V mutation in the MEFV gene may cause an augmented response to the streptococcal infection that plays a role in the development of both clinical manifestations.

A Case Report of Crescentic Glomerulonephritis With Positive Serum Anti-glomerular Basement Membrane Without Linear Glomerular Basement Membrane Immunofluorescent Staining.

Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of circulating immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that affect the kidneys and lungs, mainly in the form of rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage. Typically diagnosed on tissue biopsy, findings mainly include glomerular crescent formation, bright linear staining of GBM for IgG on direct immunofluorescence (IF), and the serologic presence of circulating anti-GBM antibodies. Variation in the laboratory results, where histological findings of linear IgG IF staining were present in the absence of circulating anti-GBM antibodies, have recently led to the use of the term "atypical anti-GBM disease," which usually has a distinct benign clinical outcome as compared to typical anti-GBM disease. We report a case of a middle-aged woman who presented with renal failure without lung involvement. Upon further investigation, the patient was found to have strongly positive serum anti-GBM antibodies, but the tissue biopsy did not show typical findings of the anti-GBM disease. The patient showed modest improvement after multiple sessions of plasmapheresis and steroids, with stabilization of her renal parameters after the initial response. In our case, we will address the possibilities of the discrepancies between the serological and histopathological findings.

Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis Superimposed on Post-streptococcal Acute Glomerulonephritis.

A 44-year-old woman was admitted due to gross hematuria and progressive renal dysfunction. Poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) was suspected due to her elevated anti-streptolysin O and anti-streptokinase titers and hypocomplementemia. A renal biopsy showed crescent formation and endocapillary hypercellularity with neutrophil infiltrate. An immunofluorescence analysis showed granular immunoglobulin G and C3 deposition, suggesting immune-complex-type glomerulonephritis. However, myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) was positive, and peritubular capillaritis was observed. Furthermore, citrullinated histone H3-positive neutrophils were detected as markers for neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Therefore, she was diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis superimposed on PSAGN that was the main contributor to her progressive renal injury.

Case Report: Unusual Aggregation of Different Glomerulopathies in a Family Resolved by Genetic Testing and Reverse Phenotyping.

Glomerular diseases (GDs) are a major cause of chronic kidney disease in children. The conventional approach to diagnosis of GDs includes clinical evaluation and, in most cases, kidney biopsy to make a definitive diagnosis. However, in many cases, clinical presentations of different GDs can overlap, leading to uncertainty in diagnosis and management even after renal biopsy. In this report, we identify a family with clinical diagnoses of postinfectious glomerulonephritis and IgA nephropathy in a parent and two children. Renal biopsies were initially inconclusive; however, genetic testing showed that the two individuals diagnosed at different points with IgA nephropathy carried novel segregating pathogenic variants in COL4A5 gene. We were only able to make the final diagnoses in each of the family members after genetic testing and reverse phenotyping. This case highlights the utility of genetic testing and reverse phenotyping in resolving clinical diagnosis in families with unusual constellations of different glomerulopathies. We propose that clustering of different glomerular disease phenotypes in a family should be an indication for genetic testing followed by reverse phenotyping.

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in children.

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), characterized by a rapid development of nephritis with loss of kidney function in days or weeks, is typically associated histologically, with crescents in most glomeruli; and is a challenging problem, particularly in low resource settings. RPGN is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency requiring prompt evaluation and treatment to prevent poor outcomes. Histopathologically, RPGN consists of four major categories, anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease, immune complex mediated, pauci-immune disorders and idiopathic /overlap disorders. Clinical manifestations include gross hematuria, proteinuria, oliguria, hypertension and edema. Diagnostic evaluation, including renal function tests, electrolytes, urinalysis/microscopy and serology including (anti GBM antibody, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)) starts simultaneously with management. An urgent renal biopsy is required to allow specific pathologic diagnosis as well as to assess disease activity and chronicity to guide specific treatment. The current guidelines for management of pediatric RPGN are adopted from adult experience and consist of induction and maintenance therapy. Aggressive combination immunosuppression has markedly improved outcomes, however, nephrotic syndrome, severe acute kidney injury requiring dialysis, presence of fibrous crescents and chronicity are predictors of poor renal survival. RPGN associated post infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN) usually has good prognosis in children without immunosuppression whereas immune-complex-mediated GN and lupus nephritis (LN) are associated with poor prognosis with development of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) in more than 50% and 30% respectively. Given the need for prompt diagnosis and urgent treatment to avoid devastating outcomes, we conducted a review of the latest evidence in RPGN management to help formulate clinical practice guidance for children in our setting. Information sources and search strategy: The search strategy was performed in the digital databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, google scholar, from their inception dates to December 2020. Three investigators independently performed a systematic search using the following search terms "Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis" "children" "crescentic glomerulonephritis" "management" at the same time, backtracking search for references of related literature.

Thrombotic microangiopathy with transiently positive direct Coombs test in an adult with poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: To date, a few case reports have described the association between poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) and hemolytic anemia/thrombocytopenia, both with or without a pathology similar to that of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). However, the detailed mechanism leading to the complication of TMA in PSAGN patients remains to be clarified. In contrast, infection with neuraminidase-producing Streptococcus pneumoniae is a well-known cause of TMA, and it has been reported that transient positivity of the direct Coombs test is observed in up to 90% of such patients. CASE PRESENTATION: A 44-year-old man was hospitalized for acute nephritic syndrome 3 weeks after developing pharyngitis. PSAGN was suspected owing to a low complement C3, increased antistreptolysin-O and serum creatinine (5.46 mg/dL), and hematuria/proteinuria. The throat antigen test for group A Streptococcus was positive. He developed hemolytic anemia with thrombocytopenia from hospital day 9. TMA was suspected owing to minimal coagulation abnormalities. ADAMTS-13 activity was normal, whereas the direct Coombs test was transiently positive. Renal biopsy demonstrated glomerular endocapillary proliferation without crescents, but with severe tubulitis and peritubular capillaritis on light microscopy. Immunofluorescence demonstrated C3 deposition along the glomerular capillary walls, and many subepithelial humps were observed on electron microscopy. The deposition of nephritis-associated plasmin receptor (NAPlr), a nephritogenic protein of Streptococcus pyogenes, was observed only in glomeruli. Thus, the histological diagnosis was typical PSAGN, but with atypical severe tubulointerstitial lesions. A positive direct Coombs test is often observed in pneumococcal TMA patients, which is attributed to the exposure of Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigen by neuraminidase. As Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the neuraminidase-producing bacteria other than Streptococcus pneumoniae, T-antigen exposure was analyzed in the renal tissue of this patient using labelled peanut lectin as a probe, which has strong and specific binding affinity for T-antigen. Exposure of T-antigen was found on tubular epithelial cells and small vessels in the tubulointerstitial area, but not in the glomeruli of this patient. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that 2 pathogenic proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes, i.e., NAPlr and neuraminidase, induced glomerular lesions of PSAGN and tubulointerstitial inflammation with TMA, respectively, resulting in severe acute kidney injury in this patient.

Overlap of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis and IgA Nephropathy.

Acute glomerulonephritis is a constellation of renal disorders which are precipitated by an immunologic mechanism triggering inflammation and proliferation of glomerular tissue resulting in damage to the basement membrane, mesangium, or capillary endothelium. Two of the most well-known manifestations of glomerulonephritis are granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN). To our knowledge, these diseases are often found separately and are rarely diagnosed in the same patient. Here, we discuss a case of a 35-year-old male who presented and was diagnosed with simultaneous GPA and IgAN. His renal biopsy was significant for extensive, crescentic, and necrotizing glomerulonephritis and IgA staining on immunofluorescence indicating severe renal damage. Despite full immunosuppressive therapy, our patient failed to recover his renal function. In our case, we hope to raise awareness of these disorders and early recognition of the clinical features. We believe that this case would prompt providers to pursue diagnostic workups to detect these diseases early on, especially when symptoms progressively worsen and become systemic. As demonstrated in our patient, delay in diagnosis can lead to irreversible damage to a patient's renal function, especially when two types of glomerulonephritis are present.

Proposal for a more practical classification of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

The nomenclature for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated kidney disease has evolved from honorific eponyms to a descriptive-based classification scheme (Chapel Hill Consensus Conference 2012). Microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis do not correlate with presentation, response rates and relapse rates as when comparing myeloperoxidase versus leukocyte proteinase 3. Here we discuss the limitations of the currently used classification and propose an alternative, simple classification according to (i) ANCA type and (ii) organ involvement, which provides important clinical information of prognosis and outcomes.

Renal elastography measurements in children with acute glomerulonephritis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the acoustic radiation force impulse elastography (ARFI-e) values of the renal cortical parenchyma in children with acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) and healthy children, and to determine a cut-off point for the diagnosis of AGN. METHODS: This prospective study included 30 children with biopsy-proven AGN and 30 healthy children. All the children underwent renal ARFI-e measurements. Values were obtained from the upper, middle, and lower zones of the right kidney parenchyma. A total of nine ARFI-e measurements (three from each zone) were made. Statistical analyses were conducted of the mean elastography values (MEVs) of the children in both groups. RESULTS: In the patient group, the MEVs measured from the upper, middle and lower zones of the right kidney were 3.42±0.42 m/s, 3.45±0.45 m/s, and 3.39±0.39 m/s (average, 3.42±0.34 m/s), respectively. In the healthy control group, the MEVs measured from the upper, middle, and lower zones of the right kidney were 2.85±0.63 m/s, 2.85±0.68 m/s, and 2.86±0.66 m/s (average, 2.85±0.57 m/s), respectively. The MEVs in all zones were significantly higher in the patient group than in the healthy group (P<0.001). The cut-off values determined to predict AGN in the upper, middle, and lower zones of the kidney were 2.74 m/s (sensitivity, 96.67%; specificity, 46.67%), 2.71 m/s (sensitivity, 96.67%; specificity, 53.33%), and 2.81 m/s (sensitivity, 93.33%; specificity, 56.67%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The ARFI-e technique can be considered as a non-invasive, easily applicable, auxiliary method for the early diagnosis of AGN.