• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2005

Purpose : Development of renal scarring is associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection(UTI). This study was performed to clarify how soon treatment should be started to Inhibit renal scarring after onset of UTI and the factors associated with renal scarring in children with a first episode of febrile UTI. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 163 patients with a first episode of febrile UTI under the age of 2 years from April 2000 to Ap,il 2004. All patients had a DMSA renal scan and voiding cystourethrogram done in the diagnostic period, 6 months after which a follow-up renal scan was done. After patients wet-e divided into 2 groups according to the duration of fever prior to start of treatment, the duration of fever after start of treatment, and total duration of fever, initial and follow-up DMSA scan findings were analyzed among the different groups. We compared the factors associated with renal scars between the groups with and without renal scars. Results : The initial DMSA renal scan identified abnormal finding in 23% of the patients who were treated $\leq$24 hr from the onset of disease and in 43% of those with fever more than 24 hr. Renal scars developed in 33% of patients who were treated $\leq$24 hr and 38% of those with fever >24 hr prior to treatment. Renal scars developed in 34% of patients with remission of fever $\leq$48 hr after treatment and ill 50% of those with fever >48 hr after treatment. The risk for renal scars was significantly higher in children who had total duration of feyer >72 hr(67%) than in those with shorter duration(19%). In children with renal scars, VUR was most highly associated with an increased risk of renal scar formation. Conclusion : Although children with a first episode of febrile UTI are treated within 24 hr after onset of the fever, renal damage cannot be prevented completely and it is mainly associated with VUR. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:56-63)

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.436-444
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• 2010

Objectives: Infectious diseases are known to be affected by climate change. We investigated if the infectious diseases were related to meteorological factors in Korea. Methods: Scrub typhus, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), leptospirosis, malaria and Vibrio vulnificus sepsis among the National Notifiable Infectious Diseases were selected as the climate change-related infectious diseases. Temperature, relative humidity and precipitation were used as meteorological factors. The study period was from 2001 through 2008. We examined the seasonality of the diseases and those correlations with meteorological factors. We also analyzed the correlations between the incidences of the diseases during the outbreak periods and monthly meteorological factors in the hyper-endemic regions. Results: All of the investigated diseases showed strong seasonality; malaria and V. vulnificus sepsis were prevalent in summer and scrub typhus, HFRS and leptospirosis were prevalent in the autumn. There were significant correlations between the monthly numbers of cases and all the meteorological factors for malaria and V. vulnificus sepsis, but there were no correlation for the other diseases. However, the incidence of scrub typhus in hyper-endemic region during the outbreak period was positively correlated with temperature and humidity during the summer. The incidences of HFRS and leptospirosis had positive correlations with precipitation in November and temperature and humidity in February, respectively. V. vulnificus sepsis showed positive correlations with precipitation in April/May/July. Conclusions: In Korea, the incidences of the infectious diseases were correlated with meteorological factors, and this implies that the incidences could be influenced by climate change.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 1997

There have been many recent reports that unilateral renal agenesis and multicystic dysplastic kidneys are accompanied by contralateral vesicoureteral reflux leading to its injury. We grouped the children with unilateral renal agenesis, renal hypoplasia, multicystic dysplastic kidney into abnormal unilateral renal development and investigated whether it was accompanied with contralateral vesicoureteral reflux. We retrospectively reviewed 96 pediatric cases of unilateral renal agenesis, hypoplasia, multicystic dysplastic kidney diagnosed at Shinchon Severance Hospital, Yongdong Severance Hospital from 1987 to 1996 and Ajou University Hospital from 1994 to 1996. Diagnosis was based on radiological findings, renal hypoplasia being defined as small renal size with no apparent renal scarring and no irregularity of the calyceopelvic system on abdominal sonography or intravenous pyelography. Among the 96 cases,48 cases carried out voiding cystourethrography. 58 cases were male(60%) and 38 cases were female(40%). The cases of abnormal unilateral development on the left side were 45(47%) and that on the right side were 51(53%). Although there were diverse reasons leading to diagnosis, the major ones included were prenatal sonography, urinary tract infection, and other congenital anomalies. In cases of unilateral renal agenesis & hypoplasia the leading factors were urinary tract infection & other congenital anomalies and in cases of multicystic dysplastic kidney that was prenatal sonography. There was a chronological gap between the mean age of diagnosis(1.8 year) and voiding cystouerthrography(2.5 year, P < 0.01). 9 of the 18 unilateral renal agenesis cases, 5 of the 11 unilateral renal hypoplasia cases, and 3 of the 19 unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney cases showed contralateral vesicoureteral reflux. Average reflux grade was above G III.Among the 17 children who had contralateral vesicoureteral reflux, 3 children had chronic renal failure and ureteroneocystostomy was carried out in 6 children. From the above results we conclude that screening voiding cystourethrography should be performed in children with abnormal unilateral renal development for early detection of vesicoureteral reflux in the contralateral kidney.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.176-179
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• 2015

Rituximab (RTX), a monoclonal antibody against the B-cell marker CD20, is commonly used as a treatment for antibody-mediated diseases or B-lymphocyte-mediated diseases. Destruction of B cells may reverse the disease course in many conditions; however, patients who are treated with RTX cannot respond appropriately to de novo infection due to lack of B lymphocytes. Here, we report one such case. A 7-year-old renal allograft recipient presented with severe anemia due to parvovirus infection after RTX treatment. The patient had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and had received cadaveric kidney transplantation 6 months previously. She was treated with high-dose steroid for acute rejection and RTX for Epstein Barr Virus infection 3 months previously. At presentation, her hemoglobin level was 5.4 g/dL and leukocyte and platelet counts were normal. She had microcytic normochromic anemia and high viral load of parvovirus B19(70,578 copies/mL). Intravenous immunoglobulin ($200mg/kg{\cdot}d$) treatment controlled the progression of anemia and parvovirus infection. De novo parvovirus infection during the B lymphocyte-depletion period may have precipitated the severe anemia in this case. Close monitoring of infection is required after RTX therapy.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the renal ultrasonographic findings in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 83 patients who were diagnosed with VUR and underwent ultrasonography at Ilsan hospital between January 2000 and December 2010. Results: Among 166 renal units, 108 (65.0%) were found to have vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Fifty-one (73.9%) had VUR in renal units with abnormal ultrasonography (USG), whereas 57 (58.7%) had VUR in renal units with normal USG. Abnormal USG findings were independent risk factors for VUR (Odds ratio, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.01-3.89; $P$=0.045). In renal units with VUR, the number of normal USG finding was 52.8%, and the abnormal findings were as follows; increased cortical echogenicity 16.7%, hydronephrosis 17.6%, megaureter or ureter dilatation 8.3%, hydronephrosis and ureter dilatation 1.9%, duplication of ureter 1.9%, and atrophic kidney 0.9%. The prevalence of VUR was relatively higher in renal units with hydronephrosis (23/19, 82.6%), ureter dilatation (9/9, 100%), duplication of ureter (2/3, 66.6%), and atrophic kidney (1/1, 100%). Conclusion: Our study indicates that VUR was associated with abnormal USG findings. When there are abnormal USG findings such as hydronephrosis, ureter dilatation, duplication of ureter, and atrophic kidney in children with UTI, VCUG is recommended to detect VUR after controlling UTI.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.219-227
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• 2006

Purpose : We aim to identify the clinical and demographic characteristics in children who underwent renal transplantation(RTx) and to evaluate the influence on growth of RTx in children. Methods : We reviewed 17 medical records of chronic renal failure patients who underwent RTx from April 1992 and June 2004 at Busan Paik Hospital. Age and sex distribution, cause of disease, donor analysis, patient and graft survival rate, and the status of growth after RTx were analysed by retrospective study. Results : Eighteen RTx were performed in 17 patients(8 boys, 9 girls). The mean age at the time of RTx was $15.8{\pm}3.5$ years and the mean duration of dialysis therapy before RTx was $22.4{\pm}18.0$ months. The 1 year and 5 year patient survival rate were each 100%, and the 1 year and 5 year graft survival rate were 88%, 36% respectively. The most common cause of graft failure was chronic rejection. The mean final height of male patients was $162.8{\pm}10.0$ cm(143.0-172.5 cm) and of female patients was $154.5{\pm}12.1$ cm(135.8-160.0 cm). The mean height standard deviation score(Ht SDS) increased after RTx from -1.95 to -1.53 but the increment rate was not statistically significant. Similar changes were noted in individual patient analysis. Also there was no significant difference between the living-related donors and cadaveric donors. Conclusion : Our data shows that even successful RTx rarely results in full growth rehabilitation. To overcome retarded growth in children with chronic renal failure, appropriate combined management of metabolic and nutritional problems, correction of anemia, proper use of recombinant growth hormone therapy, early renal transplantation and shortening of the duration of dialysis would be necessary.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2011

Purpose : Men are generally more prone to chronic renal disease and progression to end stage renal disease than women. The purpose of this study is to prove the effect of gender and sex hormone on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and to elucidate the specific underlying mechanisms. Methods :We compared the expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) in female and male mice with complete UUO (day 7). After this, we estimated the changes of renal fibrosis in the female mice with oophorectomy and in the female mice with oophorectomy and replacement of $17{\beta}$-estradiol, respectively. Results : The level of ${\alpha}$-SMA in the female kidney with UUO was significantly lower than that in the male kidney with UUO. oophorectomy and replacement of $17{\beta}$-estradiol did not change the expression of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor in the female kidney with UUO, whereas the expression of angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor was significantly more elevated in the intact female (IF) and the oophorectomized female with estrogen (OF+E) than that in the oophorectomized female (OF). The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the IF and OF+E mice were significantly more elevated than that in the OF mice, which was similar to the expression of AT2 receptor. Conclusion : The female gender is associated with resistance to renal fibrosis in obstructive uropathy and this gender difference may originate from the existence of $17{\beta}$-estradiol, which has an anti-fibrotic effect via upregulation of the AT2 receptor and iNOS.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2014

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the correlation between serum cystatin C and clinical manifestations in pediatric patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: We studied 137 patients admitted with UTIs from June 2012 to May 2014. Depending on the presence of renal cortical defects on 99m Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy, we classified patients into non-renal and renal defect groups. Laboratory and clinical parameters were analyzed, including the levels of serum cystatin C. The correlation between cystatin C and other variables was assessed. Results: Serum cystatin C levels did not differ between the non-renal and renal defect groups. In both groups, serum cystatin C levels increased after 4-5 days of treatment, compared with the level at admission (P<0.001). However, mean levels were within normal ranges. The concentration of serum cystatin C positively correlated with serum creatinine and negatively correlated with age (P <0.05). In contrast, there was no correlation between serum cystatin C and other variables. Conclusion: Serum cystatin C does not appear to be a useful biomarker for renal defects in pediatric patients with UTIs. Further studies are necessary to conclude whether serum cystatin C is helpful in predicting deterioration in renal function in pediatric patients with UTIs.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.88-92
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• 2008

Infection of Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) gives rise to a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in children. Although renal involvement is rare, diverse renal manifestations are known from hematuria to acute renal failure. Secondary membranous nephropathy(MN) associated with systemic EBV infection is an uncommon renal pathology and only two cases have been reported. We are adding another case of MN associated with EBV infection in a child. An 8-year-old girl was admitted for renal biopsy. She had been followed up for microscopic hematuria and intermittent proteinuria for 5 months. There had been no specific findings in serology and radiology. Tonsil biopsy had been done due to exudative tonsillar hypertrophy and enlarged multiple cervical lymph nodes. And it showed EBV-associated lymphoproliferative findings. Serologic tests for EBV showed positive evidence of recent infection; viral capsid antigen(VCA) IgM was borderline positive, VCA IgG and early antigen IgG were positive, and EB nuclear antigen IgG was negative. In Situ Hybridization of tonsil for EBV mRNA was positive. Because her proteinuria and hematuria were aggravated at that time(protein 3 +, RBC >60/HPF), renal biopsy was done. Renal biopsy showed the findings of MN, characterized by thickened capillary walls with epimembranous spikes on light microscopy and subepithelial, mesangial and subendothelial electron dense deposits on electron microscopy. On immunofluorescence microscopy, IgG, C1q, kappa and lambda chains were positive. After steroid administration, proteinuria and hematuria resolved gradually within 6 months.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.186-193
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• 2008

Purpose : Intrarenal reflux(IRR) is backflow of urine from the renal pelvis into the collecting ducts. IRR is the main cause of renal injury in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) which leads to renal scars, hypertension, proteinuria, and chronic renal failure. The purpose of our study was to investigate the characteristics of intrarenal reflux. Method : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 80 patients who were diagnosed as having grades of III-V VUR from Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2006 in the department of pediatrics in Ajou University Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of IRR on voiding cystoureterogram and compared to each other for the possible factors associated with intrarenal reflux. Results : Among 80 VUR patients, IRR(＋) group comprised 17(21.3%) patients and 27 renal units(23.2%) and revealed younger age, higher grade of VUR, and more proteinuria compared to IRR(-) group. There were no significant difference in gender, laboratory findings and the rate of resolution in VUR or defects on renal scan between two groups. Also, intrarenal reflux mostly corresponded to the same site of photon defects on DMSA scan. Conclusion : We suggest that intrarenal reflux tends to be associated with younger age, higher grade of reflux, more proteinuria with no difference in resolution rate of VUR when compared to the VUR patients without IRR. From this study, we were able to understand the characteristics of intrarenal reflux in children with urinary tract infection.