• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate the clinical significance of antenatally detected mild fetal pelviectasia and the role of voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) Methods : From January 1999 to September 1999, 28 neonates (44 pelviectatic kidneys) with mild fetal pelviectasia (anteroposterial diameter <10 mm) were evaluated by postnatal renal sonography and voiding cystourethrography. Results : Among 44 mild pelviectatic kidneys, 29 ($65.9\%$) kidneys had no pelviectasia and 15 ($34.1\%$) kidneys had persistent mild pelviectasia on postnatal renal sonography. Four ($9.1\%$) kidneys of 3 males ($10.7\%$) without pelviectasia on postnatal renal sonography had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on voiding cystourethrography. Vesicoureteral reflux was not correlated with prenatal progression or regression of pelviectasia and was not correlated with postnatal pelviectasia. Conclusion : All neonate with mild fetal pelviectasia need to undergo voiding cystourethrography for early diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux even though postnatal renal sonography shows no pelviectasia. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2001 ;5 : 182-87)

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.999-1004
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• 2009

Purpose : Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a fundamental parameter in assessing renal function and predicting the progression of chronic renal disease. Because the use of serum creatinine has several disadvantages, many studies have investigated the use of cystatin C for estimating GFR. We compared creatinine clearance and GFR with formulas using serum creatinine and cystatin C. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 211 patients with various renal diseases and classified them into two groups according to creatinine clearance (Group 1: CrCl >$90mL/min/1.73m^2$, Group 2: CrCl <$90mL/min/1.73m^2$). We measured serum creatinine, cystatin C, and creatinine clearance. We calculated GFR using the Schwartz, Counahan, Filler and Lepage, Bokencamp et al, and Grubb et al formulas. Results : GFR determined by the Schwartz formula had the highest correlation to creatinine clearance (r=0.415, P=0.00). GFR determined by various formulas using cystatin C had lower correlation to creatinine clearance (r=0.187, r=0.187, r=0.291). The Schwartz and Counahan formulas showed greater diagnostic accuracy in detecting decreased GFR than cystatin C in group 2 (areas under the curve: Schwartz, 0.596; Counahan, 0.572; Filler, 0.512; Bokencamp, 0.508; and Grubb, 0.514). Conclusion : GFR determined by the Schwartz and Counahan formulas using serum creatinine showed higher correlation coefficient than that determined by formulas using cystatin C. The formulas using cystatin C were not superior to those using serum creatinine in detecting decreased GFR. Cystatin C measurement was not satisfactory for assessing GFR in patients whose renal function was not severely decreased.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 1998

Purpose : Renal duplication is a common occurrence, and the range of ureteral and renal anomalies draining the two poles of the duplex kidney leads to a variety of clinical presentations. Method : A series of 61 children with duplicated systems was studied retrospectively who were admitted during last 12years. Results : Of the children $60.6\%$ were accompanied with urologic anomalies that required surgical treatment, and most children initially were presented with urinary tract infection. $42.6\%$ of children were either diagnosed incidentally during evaluation of other non-urologic disease or during follow-up evaluation of abnormal antenatal renal sonogram. Conclusion : From our point view, children with history of abnormal antenatal renal sonogram, or with symptoms such as urinary tract infection, hematuria, abdominal pain should be evaluated radiologially fully to confirm further abnormality and accompanied complications. And routine follow-up using abdominal ultrasonogram, VCUG, and urine culture should be used to prevent and detect early treatable complications.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2008

Rare cases of IgG associated mesangial glomerulonephritis(IgG GN) defined by exclusive or predominant mesangial IgG deposits were reported first by Sato et al.(1993). and subsequently 10 pediatric cases were reported by Yoshikawa et al.(1994). Previous reports suggested that the prognosis of IgG GN is relatively benign course but recent report suggested that prognosis of IgG GN is highly variable. Also the recurrence of IgG GN in a renal transplant was reported by Fakhouri et al. (2002). Such a recurrence highlights the specificity of this type of glomerulonephritis. We experienced two pediatric cases of IgG GN proven by renal biopsy. Case 1. 4-year-old girl with nephrotic syndrome admitted because of general edema. The patient's urinalysis showed proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. Renal biopsy was performed because of relapsed nephritic syndrome. Light microscopic finding was nonspecific with almost normal histology. Immunofluorescent findings showed diffuse segmental IgG(+) and IgM(+) deposits in the capillary walls, and focal segmental spotty C4(trace), C1q(trace) deposits. Electron microscopic findings showed focal portion of mesangial electron dense deposits without mesangial widening. Case 2. 11-year-old girl admitted for evaluation of microsopic hematuria detected through mass school urinary screening program. Renal biopsy was performed for exact diagnosis. Immunofluorescent findings showed focal segmental IgG(+), IgM(+/-) and C3(+/-) deposits. Electron microscopic findings showed focal portion of mesangial electron dense deposits without mesangial widening.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to determine if there are prognostic factors leading to permanent parenchymal damages to kidney in children after acute pyelonephritis. Methods : This study was conducted in 160 pediatric patients with acute pyelonephritis admitted to Ajou University Hospital from 2000 to 2005, whose renal cortical defects were confirmed by $^{99m}Tc$-dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA scan). Along with the follow-up DMSA scan after 6 months, they were classified into two groups; recovered group (106) and scarred group (54). The clinical characteristics of each group were compared. Results : Among the total of 160 patients, 106 (66.3%) showed recovery of the initial defect (the recovered group), while 54 (33.8%) showed permanent defects on the followup DMSA scan (scarred group). Recovery rate was poor for patients of 1 year and older, or patients with the duration of fever and pyuria longer than 7 days. The recovery rate was poor in the patients with history of frequent febrile episodes and abnormal results of imaging studies, such as voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), ultrasonography. Conclusion : The recovery rate of children with renal defects on DMSA scan with acute pyelonephritis was lower when the patient is older than 1 year, when the duration of fever and pyuria exceeded 7 days, and when the patients had the histories of frequent febrile episodes and had urinary tract abnormalities on imaging studies. These findings suggest that there may be under- or mis-diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis by pediatrician.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.149-153
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• 2013

We report the case of a 14-year-old girl, diagnosed with atypical thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The patient presented with persistent fever, nausea, and newly developed peripheral edema. Her laboratory findings indicated chronic anemia with no evidence of hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, or elevated serum creatinine level. A few days after hospitalization, acute renal failure and fever worsened, and proteinuria developed. On day 40 of hospitalization, she experienced a generalized tonic seizure for 5 min, accompanied by renal hypertension. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome. After steroid pulse therapy, a renal biopsy was performed because of delayed recovery from thrombocytopenia. The biopsy findings showed features of thrombotic microangiopathic hemolysis with fibrinoid change restricted. Current diagnostic criteria for TMA have focused on thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome, and diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation and etiology, with the consequence that idiopathic and atypical forms of TMA can be overlooked. Developing effective tools to diagnose TMA, such as studying levels of ADAMTS13 or testing for abnormalities in the complement system, will be the first step to improving patient outcomes.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.145-157
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• 2017

Background: Vitamin D is considered to exert a protective effect on various renal diseases but its underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether paricalcitol attenuates inflammation and apoptosis during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal proximal tubular cell injury through the prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) receptor EP4. Methods: Human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells were pretreated with paricalcitol (2 ng/mL) for 1 hour and exposed to LPS ($1{\mu}g/mL$). The effects of paricalcitol pretreatment in relation to an EP4 blockade using AH-23848 or EP4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were investigated. Results: The expression of cyclooxygenase-2, $PGE_2$, and EP4 were significantly increased in LPS-exposed HK-2 cells treated with paricalcitol compared with cells exposed to LPS only. Paricalcitol prevented cell death induced by LPS exposure, and the cotreatment of AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA offset these cell-protective effects. The phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 nuclear factor-kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$) were decreased and the phosphorylation of Akt was increased in LPS-exposed cells with paricalcitol treatment. AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA inhibited the suppressive effects of paricalcitol on p65 $NF-{\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation and the activation of Akt. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells were attenuated by paricalcitol in LPS exposed HK-2 cells. The cotreatment with an EP4 antagonist abolished these anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. Conclusion: EP4 plays a pivotal role in anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects through Akt and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling after paricalcitol pretreatment in LPS-induced renal proximal tubule cell injury.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 1997

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnositc value of the absolute and relative renal uptake rates on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan of children with febrile UTI. Method: The absolute and relative renal uptake rates of $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ were checked in 68 children with febrile urinary tract infection (35 with unilateral focal defect; 13 with bilateral focal defect; and 20 with diffuse bilateral defect) and 49 children with afebrile UTI and normal $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan as control. Results: The renal absolute uptake rate in the control group were $21.8{\pm}3.9%(right),\;22.2{\pm}3.9%(left),\;and\;44.2{\pm}7.8%(total)$. The absolute uptake rate gradually increased until the age 12 months and then was stationary. In febrile UTI with unilateral focal defect on the $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan, both relative and absolute uptake rates were similarly diagnostic ($41.2{\pm}9.7%,\;16.5{\pm}5.4%$ vs $50.0{\pm}2.6%,\;22.0{\pm}3.9%$, p<0.01). In acute pyelonephritis with bilateral focal defect on the $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan, the absolute uptake rate was significantly more diagnostic than the relative uptake rate[$17.3{\pm}5.3%$ (right), $17.4{\pm}5.3%\;(left),\;vs\;21.8{\pm}3.9%,\;(right)\;22.2{\pm}3.9%$, (left)% p<0.01]. In febrile UTI with bilateral diffuse defects on the $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan, the absolute uptake rate was significantly diagnostic than the relative uptake rate [$18.1{\pm}3.9%\;(right),\;18.4{\pm}3.8%\;(left),\;vs\;21.8{\pm}3.9%,\;(right)\;22.2{\pm}3.9%$(left), p<0.01]. Conclusion: In the $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan, the absolute uptake rate was more useful than the relative uptake rate to evaluate bilateral acute pyelonephritis.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.275-285
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• 1998

Based on the geographic range and distribution of its rodent reservoir host, the European common vole (Microtus arvalis), Tula virus is likely to be widespread throughout Eurasia. Tula virus-infected voles have been captured in Central Russia, Austria, Czech and Slovak Republics, and the former Yugoslavia. Although serologic evidence for Hantaan (HTN) or Seoul (SEO) virus infection can be found in the vast majority of the more than 300 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) occurring annually in Korea, approximately 4% of Korean patients with HFRS show a more than 4-fold higher antibody titer to Puumala (PUU) virus than to HTN or SEO virus by double-sandwich IgM ELISA, suggesting the existence of pathogenic Puumala-related hantaviruses in Korea. To further define the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of Tula virus in Eurasia and to investigate the existence of previously unrecognized Microtus-borne hantavirus in Korea, arvicolid rodents were captured in Lodz, Poland in 1995 and in Yunchon-kun, Kyungki-do during April to May, 1998. In addition, sera from 18 Korean HFRS patients who showed higher (or the same) antibody titer to Tula virus than HTN and SEO viruses were examined for hantavirus RNA by RT-PCR. Hantaviral sequences were not detected in any of the 18 patients or in 35 reed voles (Microtus fortis) in Korea. Alignment and comparison of a 208-nucleotide region of the S segment, amplified from lung tissues of two hantavirus-seropositive Marvalis captured in Poland, revealed $80.8{\sim}83.2%$ sequence similarity, respectively, with Tula virus strains from Central Russia and the Czech and Slovak Republics. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the newfound Tula virus strains from Poland were closely related to other Tula hantaviruses from Eurasia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2009

Background: Tsutsugamushi, leptospirosis and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) are the prevalent diseases among the acute febrile illnesses in Korea. Pulmonary involvement in the patients with these diseases remains poorly recognized in endemic regions, and this is despite reports of recent outbreaks and epidemic episodes. Pulmonary involvement and a higher CRP level as clinical manifestations show a more severe form of infection. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlation of pulmonary involvement and the CRP level in patients with acute febrile illnesses. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 105 patients who were diagnosed with tsutsugamushi, HFRS and leptospirosis from January 2002 to May 2008 in Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital. The radiographic images were retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists. We analyzed the pulmonary complications of the patients with these febrile diseases and we checked the CRP level at admission. Results: The study included 105 patients who were diagnosed with febrile diseases. Of these patients, 32 patients had hantaan, 10 patients had leptospirosis and 63 patients had tsutsugamushi disease. 42 (40%) patients had pulmonary complications, 20 patients had pulmonary edema, 20 patients had pleural effusion and 2 patients had interstitial pneumonitis. The patients with pulmonary involvement showed a more severe form of infection and a higher CRP level than that of those patients without pulmonary involvement (p=0.0073). Conclusion: Pulmonary involvement in patients with acute febrile diseases might be correlated with a higher CRP level. Identification of this factor on admission might provide useful selection criteria for the patients who need early intensive care.