Growth impairment in children with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease in Japan

Perinatal asphyxia and hypothermic treatment from the endocrine perspective

Introduction

Perinatal asphyxia is one of the three most important causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia represents the standard treatment for infants with moderate-severe perinatal asphyxia, resulting in reduction in the mortality and major neurodevelopmental disability. So far, data in the literature focusing on the endocrine aspects of both asphyxia and hypothermia treatment at birth are scanty, and many aspects are still debated. Aim of this narrative review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the short- and long-term effects of perinatal asphyxia and of hypothermia treatment on the endocrine system, thus providing suggestions for improving the management of asphyxiated children.

Results

Involvement of the endocrine system (especially glucose and electrolyte disturbances, adrenal hemorrhage, non-thyroidal illness syndrome) can occur in a variable percentage of subjects with perinatal asphyxia, potentially affecting mortality as well as neurological outcome. Hypothermia may also affect endocrine homeostasis, leading to a decreased incidence of hypocalcemia and an increased risk of dilutional hyponatremia and hypercalcemia.

Conclusions

Metabolic abnormalities in the context of perinatal asphyxia are important modifiable factors that may be associated with a worse outcome. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of endocrine complication, in order to establish appropriate screening protocols and allow timely treatment.

Incidence of and risk factors for short stature in children with chronic kidney disease: results from the KNOW-Ped CKD

BACKGROUND

Preserving optimal growth has long been a significant concern for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to examine the incidence of and risk factors for short stature in Asian pediatric patients with CKD.

METHODS

We analyzed growth status by height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores (SDSs) for 432 participants in the KoreaN cohort study for Outcome in patients With Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease.

RESULTS

The median height, weight, and BMI SDSs were - 0.94 (interquartile range (IQR) - 1.95 to 0.05), - 0.58 (IQR - 1.46 to 0.48), and - 0.26 (IQR - 1.13 to 0.61), respectively. A high prevalence of short stature (101 of 432 patients, 23.4%) and underweight (61 of 432 patients, 14.1%) was observed. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, CKD stages 4 and 5 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.700, p = 0.001), onset before age 2 (aOR 2.928, p < 0.0001), underweight (aOR 2.353, p = 0.013), premature birth (aOR 3.484, p < 0.0001), LBW (aOR 3.496, p = 0.001), and low household income (aOR 1.935, p = 0.030) were independent risk factors associated with short stature in children with CKD.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with CKD in Korea were shorter and had lower body weight and BMI than the general population. Short stature in children with CKD was most independently associated with low birth weight, followed by premature birth, onset before age 2, CKD stages 4 and 5, underweight, and low household income. Among these, underweight is the only modifiable factor. Therefore, we suggest children with CKD should be carefully monitored for weight, nutritional status, and body composition to achieve optimal growth.

Clinical characteristics and prevalence of complications of chronic kidney disease in children: the Taiwan Pediatric Renal Collaborative study

BACKGROUND

Little information is available regarding the clinical characteristics and prevalence of complications in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in early disease stages. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics and prevalence of complications in children with predialytic CKD.

METHODS

This multicenter, cross-sectional study enrolled children at all stages of predialytic CKD. Children who were between the ages of 1 year and 18 years and who fulfilled the clinical criteria of CKD were included in the study. Baseline demographic data, previous history, clinical characteristics, and laboratory data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 757 children were included in the study. The median age at the time of enrollment was 10.6 years; 397 patients (52.4 %) were males. A total of 39.0 % of the patients were in CKD stage 1, 37.6 % were in stage 2, 14.8 % were in stage 3, 3.0 % were in stage 4, and 5.5 % were in stage 5. Nonglomerular renal diseases were the primary cause of CKD, comprising 51.9 % of the patients with CKD. The age at disease onset, gender, CKD stage distribution, and proportion of co-morbidities varied between the glomerular and nonglomerular CKD cases. Anemia, hyperlipidemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia were more prevalent in patients with glomerular CKD. The overall prevalence of complications was as follows: uncontrolled blood pressure, 44.1 %; anemia, 34.2 %; hyperlipidemia, 44.9 %; short stature, 10.3 %; and failure to thrive, 8.2 %. Uncontrolled blood pressure (BP), anemia, and hyperlipidemia were common, even in the early CKD stages. The prevalence of CKD complications generally increased with the worsening stage of CKD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals differences in CKD etiology and prevalence of specific complications according to the stage of CKD. Early recognition and awareness of complications are mandatory for clinicians during the follow-up visits of children with CKD.

Signs and symptoms of developmental abnormalities of the genitourinary tract

OBJECTIVE

The abnormalities of the genitourinary tract development are the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children. The diagnosis of this disease in Brazil is late and incomplete, which results in increased morbidity and mortality in this age group. Early diagnosis of this condition is the prerogative of generalist pediatricians, and the aim of this study was to review the clinical signs and symptoms associated with developmental abnormalities of the genitourinary tract.

DATA SOURCES

Based on the description of a symbolic clinical case, the authors conducted a non-systematic review of medical literature.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The results suggest that the following data should be used as a warning for early diagnosis of affected children: (a) combined urinary tract abnormalities (chromosomal abnormalities; sequence of malformations [VACTERLand Prune-Belly]; and musculoskeletal, digestive tract, heart, and nervous system malformations); (b) previous history (congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract [CAKUT] in the family, low birth weight, and oligoamnios); (c) clinical signs (polyuria/nocturia, urinary tract infection, systemic arterial hypertension, failure to thrive, weak urinary stream, difficulty to start urination, distended bladder, non-monosymptomatic enuresis, urinary/urge incontinence, and bowel and bladder dysfunction); and (d) pre- and postnatal ultrasonographic alterations (increased anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis, mainly in the third trimester of pregnancy; single kidney; hydronephrosis associated with other abnormalities; and hydronephrosis with parenchymal involvement in the post-neonatal assessment).

CONCLUSION

The suggestions shown here can help the pediatrician to establish clinical hypotheses for the early diagnosis of developmental abnormalities of the genitourinary tract without resorting to expensive and invasive procedures.