Insight into prevalence, etiology, and modalities of pediatric chronic dialysis: a comprehensive nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and etiology of kidney failure (KF) among children below 15 years of age receiving chronic dialysis in Saudi Arabia and describe their dialysis modalities.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 8 August 2022, encompassing all 23 pediatric dialysis centers in Saudi Arabia. Data gathered comprised patient demographics, causes of KF, and the dialysis methods employed. Collected data underwent analysis to determine prevalence of children undergoing chronic dialysis, discern underlying causes of KF, and evaluate distribution of patients across different dialysis modalities.

RESULTS

The prevalence of children on chronic dialysis is 77.6 per million children living in Saudi Arabia, equating to 419 children. The predominant underlying cause of KF was congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT), representing a substantial 41% of cases. Following this, others or unknown etiologies accounted for a noteworthy 25% of cases, with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) comprising 13%, glomerulonephritis at 11%, and congenital nephrotic syndrome contributing 10% to etiological distribution. Regarding dialysis modalities employed, 67% of patients were on peritoneal dialysis (PD), while the remaining 33% were on hemodialysis (HD).

CONCLUSIONS

This first nationwide study of pediatric chronic dialysis in Saudi Arabia sheds light on the prevalence of children undergoing chronic dialysis and underlying causes of their KF, thereby contributing to our understanding of clinical management considerations. This research serves as a stepping stone for the development of national registries.

Effective Treatment of a Post-renal Transplantation Patient with Early Recurrent Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Concomitant Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a Case Report

While recurrence of primary Focal Segmental Glomerular Sclerosis (FSGS) is common post renal transplantation (30%-80%), a concomitant presentation of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and recurrent FSGS has never been reported. In addition, treatment of recurrent FSGS and HUS post-renal transplantation is challenging; and usually individualized based on center's experience. Here, we reported a case of a pediatric patient with early recurrence of FSGS and concomitant HUS post-renal transplantation. This patient had a complete hematological and renal response following the administration of Eculizumab and Rituximab, respectively. Withdrawal of Tacrolimus as well as plasmapheresis did not improve kidney function. Therefore, we concluded that both Eculizumab and Rituximab could achieve remission in comparable cases when administered at fixed intervals.

AGREEing on clinical practice guidelines for idiopathic steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome in children

BACKGROUND

Nephrotic syndrome is the most common kidney disease in children worldwide. Our aim was to critically appraise the quality of recent Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for idiopathic steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in children in addition to summarize and compare their recommendations.

METHODS

Systematic review of CPGs. We identified clinical questions and eligibility criteria and searched and screened for CPGs using bibliographic and CPG databases. Each included CPG was assessed by four independent appraisers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation II (AGREE-II) instrument. We summarized the recommendations in a comparison practical table.

RESULTS

Our search retrieved 282 citations, of which three CPGs were eligible and appraised: Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012, Japan Society for Pediatric Nephrology (JSPN) 2014, and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2009. Among these, the overall assessment of two evidence-based CPGs scored > 70% (KDIGO and JSPN), which was consistent with their higher scores in the six domains of the AGREE II Instrument. In domain 3 (rigor of development), KDIGO, JSPN, and AAP scored 84%, 74%, and 41%, respectively. In domain 5 (applicability), they scored 22%, 16%, and 19%, respectively, and in domain 6 (editorial independence), they scored 94%, 65%, and 88%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The methodological quality of the KDIGO CPG was superior, followed by JSPN and AAP CPGs with the relevant recommendations for use in practice.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

The protocol was registered in the Center for Open Science (OSF) DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/6QTMD and in the International prospective register of systematic reviews PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020197511 .

Aminophylline for improving acute kidney injury in pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Whether aminophylline administration can prevent or treat AKI among pediatric patients are not clear. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of aminophylline for pediatric AKI.

METHODS

We carried out a systematic search of six databases: PubMed, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, Scopus, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar from January 1995 up till May 2019. Summary measures of risk ratios and standard mean difference were calculated using the random effects model.

RESULTS

We identified seven papers containing data on aminophylline use in children with AKI. Meta-analysis of single-arm studies indicated no statistically significant difference in mean rate of serum creatinine clearance (-0.39 [-0.80-1.58], P = 0.52), mean urine output (1.99 [-1.43-5.42]; P = 0.25), or mean blood urea nitrogen levels (0.83 [-1.86-3.03], P = 0.54) before and after aminophylline administration. However, among double-arm studies, aminophylline administration in the intervention arm significantly reduced the serum creatinine level as compared to control arm (mean diff = -34 [-55.18--12.83]; P = 0.002). Mean urine output (-112.68 [-27.43-48.9], P = 0.17), incidence of AKI (RR = 1.05 [0.80-1.37], P = 0.72), and mortality rates (RR = 0.79 [0.42-1.47], P = 0.45) were found to be statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

Aminophylline administration in children with AKI reduces serum creatinine level without significant adverse effects or effect on the incidence of AKI, urine output, or mortality. Further, large-scale well-planned randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate its use and its potential long-term effects.