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.

Metabolic alkalosis in infants treated with peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND

Acid-base balance is maintained by kidney excretion of titratable acids and bicarbonate reabsorption. Metabolic alkalosis is uncommon in dialysis-treated patients. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the rate of metabolic alkalosis in pediatric patients treated with peritoneal dialysis.

METHODS

Medical records of children treated with peritoneal dialysis in Shaare Zedek Medical Center from January 2000 to June 2021 were reviewed and compared with young adults currently treated with peritoneal dialysis. Demographic, clinical, and peritoneal dialysis characteristics were extracted from the medical records.

RESULTS

Thirty chronic peritoneal dialysis patients were included in our study, seven under 2 years, 13 between 2 and 18 years, and 10 adults. 90.3% of the measurements in infants showed metabolic alkalosis compared to 32.3% in the 2-18-year group and none in the adult group. Higher size-adjusted daily exchange volume, lack of urine output, and high lactate-containing dialysate were associated with metabolic alkalosis. Alkalosis was not explained by vomiting, diuretic therapy, or carbonate-containing medications. High transport membrane, low dietary protein, and malnutrition, all previously reported explanations for metabolic alkalosis, were not found in our study.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic alkalosis is common in infants treated with peritoneal dialysis as opposed to older children and adults. High lactate-containing dialysate is a possible explanation. Higher size-adjusted daily dialysate exchange volume, which may reflect higher bicarbonate absorption, is another independent predictor of alkalosis. Acid-base status should be closely followed in infants, and using a dialysis solution with lower bicarbonate or lactate level should be considered. A higher resolution version of the graphical abstract is available as Supplementary Information.

COVID-19 in children and young adults with kidney disease: risk factors, clinical features and serological response

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney transplantation in adults are well-recognized risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated morbidity and mortality. Data on the toll of the pandemic on children and young adults with kidney disease is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and severity of COVID-19, as well as the serological response, in this population.

METHODS

Study population included all patients with CKD stage 3-5, glomerular disease treated with immunosuppression and kidney transplant recipients followed-up at a tertiary medical center, between 1.12.2020 and 15.2.2021. Data collected included PCR testing, symptoms, exposure, and socio-demographic data. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were tested.

RESULTS

A total of 197 children and 63 young adults were included, 57% were Jewish, 43% were Arab. PCR-confirmed COVID-19 incidence was 20.8%, 37% of cases were asymptomatic, three patients were hospitalized for observation, and the remainder had mild symptoms. Kidney function remained stable without treatment modification. Risk factors for infection included exposure at home (OR 15.4, 95% CI 6.9-34.2) and number of household members (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.21-1.73). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 61% of cases and were not associated with COVID-19 severity or immunosuppressive therapy. Three patients who did not develop antibodies had a mild recurrent infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike COVID-19 in adult patients with kidney disease, in our cohort of children and young adults, COVID-19 incidence was similar to the general population and all cases were mild. It may be unnecessary to impose severe restrictions on this patient population during the pandemic.