Carolyn Abitbol - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Carolyn Abitbol
Clinical kidney journal, 2014
Children undergoing chronic hemodialysis are at risk of cardiovascular disease and often develop ... more Children undergoing chronic hemodialysis are at risk of cardiovascular disease and often develop left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is known to better predict cardiovascular morbidity than casual blood pressure (BP) measurement. Given the BP variability attributed to interdialytic fluid overload, 44-h ABPM should better delineate cardiovascular morbidity in pediatric hemodialysis patients. In this cross-sectional study, 17 children (16.7 ± 2.9 years) on chronic hemodialysis underwent 44-h interdialytic ABPM and routine echocardiogram. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated by height-based equation; LVH was defined as an LVMI in the ≥95th percentile for height-age and gender. Hypertension was defined by the recommendations of the Fourth Report of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program for casual measurements, and by those of the American Heart Association for ABPM. Twenty-four percentage of patients ...
Clinical kidney journal, 2014
Pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of early cardiovascula... more Pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of early cardiovascular disease and premature death. Abnormalities in microvascular structure and function may presage end-organ damage including vascular calcification and myocardial ischemia associated with disordered mineral metabolism. Early detection of microvascular rarefaction (reduced density of capillaries) may identify at-risk patients and prompt timely therapeutic interventions. Our objective was to study capillary rarefaction in pediatric hemodialysis (HD) patients and to determine possible associations with mineral metabolism and cardiac risk biomarkers. Capillary density (CD) was measured by nailfold capillaroscopy in 19 pediatric HD patients and 20 healthy controls. Demographic and biochemical markers were collected at entry and 6-month follow-up. CD was significantly decreased in HD patients compared with controls with a deficit of 24 and 31% at baseline and subsequent follow-up. Maximal CD co...
The Journal of Pediatrics, 2015
Fetuses continue to be exposed to renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers despite their known ter... more Fetuses continue to be exposed to renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers despite their known teratogenicity and a black box warning. We hypothesized that fetopathy from in utero exposure to RAS blockers has a broader spectrum of clinical manifestations than described previously and that there are a variety of clinical scenarios leading to such exposures. This was a retrospective study performed through the Midwest Pediatric Nephrology Consortium. Cases of RAS blocker fetopathy were identified, with determination of renal and extrarenal manifestations, timing of exposure, and the explanation for the fetal exposure. Twenty-four cases were identified. RAS blocker exposure after the first trimester was associated with more severe renal manifestations. Chronic dialysis or kidney transplantation was required in 8 of 17 (47%) patients with RAS blocker exposure after the first trimester and 0 of 7 patients with exposure restricted to the first trimester (P = .05). Extrarenal manifestations, some not previously noted in the literature, included central nervous system anomalies (cystic encephalomalacia, cortical blindness, sensorineural hearing loss, arachnoid cysts) and pulmonary complications (pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum). RAS blocker exposure usually was secondary to absent or poor prenatal care or undiagnosed pregnancy. RAS blocker fetopathy continues to be a cause of considerable morbidity, with more severe renal manifestations associated with exposure after the first trimester. A variety of significant extrarenal manifestations occur in these patients. Clinicians should emphasize the risk of fetopathy when prescribing RAS blockers to women of childbearing age.
Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine, 2000
99mTc-DMSA late static planar imaging or SPECT is being used for the investigation of focal acute... more 99mTc-DMSA late static planar imaging or SPECT is being used for the investigation of focal acute pyelonephritis (APN), especially in children with urinary tract infection (UTI). Diuretic 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) dynamic scintirenography has been applied in the evaluation of kidney function and structure, frequently to exclude obstruction. However, in children and adults with a clinical picture of APN, diuretic MAG3 scintigraphy with zero time injection of furosemide (MAG3-F0) was observed to display focal parenchymal abnormalities; regional dysfunction (focal parenchymal decrease in early uptake; slow filling in and prolonged late retention of activity); or, less frequently, fixed defects. This observation was further studied both retrospectively and prospectively, and its sensitivity and specificity for APN were compared with those of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). In the retrospective study, for 36 children with UTI and regional parenchymal findings on MAG3-F(0), da...
Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine, 2000
HIV nephropathy (HIVN) is prevalent in 15%-56% of HIV-infected children and induces mild to sever... more HIV nephropathy (HIVN) is prevalent in 15%-56% of HIV-infected children and induces mild to severe progressive nephropathy. A total of 33 renal diuretic scintirenographic studies with 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) were reviewed and analyzed from 23 HIV pediatric patients, 21 of whom had HIVN with varying degrees of renal impairment. Results were compared with 10 studies of control patients of matching ages. Visual interpretation of images and renograms as well as semiquantitative analyses were performed. Variables compared were size of kidneys, time of peak and one-half peak activities, residual (or retained) cortical activity at 20 min, ratio of cortical activity at 2.5-20 min, and ratio of kidney activity to kidney plus background activity at 2 min. The results of MAG3 renal studies were also compared with laboratory data pertaining to creatinine clearance in all patients and with sonography in 17 patients. In most patients with HIVN (18/21), the kidneys were larger than n...
Pediatric transplantation, 2011
Pereira T, Rojas CP, Garcia-Buitrago MT, Chandar J, Abitbol C, Seeherunvong W, Rusconi P, Bruce J... more Pereira T, Rojas CP, Garcia-Buitrago MT, Chandar J, Abitbol C, Seeherunvong W, Rusconi P, Bruce JH, Zilleruelò G. A child with BK virus infection: Inadequacy of current therapeutic strategies. Pediatr Transplantation 2011. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: In this report, we describe the development of BKVN in the native kidneys of a child with a cardiac transplant. Elevated BK viral DNA load by PCR necessitated a prolonged course of treatment with escalating doses of cidofovir. Despite a reduction in plasma BK viral load, the infection evolved into an invasive CNS disease, resulting in rhomboencephalitis. This case highlights the need for awareness of the possibility of developing multiorgan complications from BKV infection. The current treatment options for BKV tissue invasive disease are inadequate and need to be improved.
Pediatric Nephrology, 1999
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition scintirenography was performed to help establish t... more Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition scintirenography was performed to help establish the diagnosis and plan treatment of renovascular hypertension (RVH) in 57 hypertensive pediatric patients, 33 infants and 24 children older than 1 year. In 16 of 33 hypertensive infants, ACE inhibition scintirenography established the diagnosis of RVH from renal ischemia (due to aortic or renal arterial thrombi). Two scintigraphic criteria were used for the diagnosis of RVH: criterion I, ischemic and damaged kidney (a non-functioning kidney on or off ACE inhibition) and criterion II, ischemic but not damaged kidney (ACE inhibition induced deterioration of function of the kidney). When criterion I was present and the contralateral kidney was normal, ACE inhibitors could be used for treatment of hypertension without deterioration of renal function; kidneys satisfying criterion I eventually involuted or manifested growth arrest and frequently caused persistent RVH, even after resolution of the thrombus, requiring nephrectomy. When criterion II was present bilaterally, or it was associated with criterion I contralaterally, the use of antihypertensive drugs other than ACE inhibitors was necessary in order to prevent renal insufficiency or failure from ACE inhibitors. However, kidneys with criterion II showed normal growth and, following retraction or dissolution of the aortic thrombus, hypertension resolved. In 2 of 24 hypertensive children older than 1 year, the test was diagnostic of branch renal artery stenosis; RVH was cured by selective angioplasty. ACE inhibition scintirenography is useful in the evalua-tion and planning of treatment in children with hypertension and may predict the outcome of therapy and ultimate renal function.
Pediatric Nephrology, 2004
Recurrence of focal glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) following renal transplantation is a common cause o... more Recurrence of focal glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) following renal transplantation is a common cause of allograft loss and clinical morbidity. Recent attempts to control proteinuria and morbidity with plasmapheresis (PP) have met with limited success. Our experience with the use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and angiotensin blockade (AB) in the management of refractory FSGS pre transplant suggested its potential benefit in post-transplant recurrence. This report presents our 25-year experience in pediatric renal transplantation of patients with FSGS divided into two treatment eras: Era 1-prior to use of daclizumab (anti-IL-2R) and Era 2-after daclizumab. A total of 179 pediatric patients were transplanted during the 25-year period. FSGS was confirmed in 27 (15%); 16 of 28 allografts (57%) had recurrence of FSGS during the post-transplant period. In Era 1, only 6 of 16 (38%) recurred in the allograft, while 10 of 12 (83%) recurred during Era 2. The odds ratio of recurrence of FSGS in the allograft after induction with anti-IL-2R was 8.3 (95% confidence interval=1.3-52, P =0.02). Only 2 patients in Era 1 received PP, while 10 in Era 2 were entered into an intensive PP protocol followed by maintenance with AB consisting of angiotensin receptor blockers alone, or in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Although proteinuria decreased an average of 80€16% with PP, the response was variable and severe morbid edema persisted in poor responders. Maximum benefit occurred with the addition of AB and MMF. After a follow-up of 27€15 months, proteinuria has shown a sustained decrease of 94€8% below baseline. In conclusion, our experience suggests that, with recurrent FSGS, a limited course of PP followed by maintenance therapy with AB and MMF improves symptoms and may preserve allograft function.
Pediatric Research, 1984
ABSTRACT
Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany), 2009
Preterm birth is associated with decreased nephron mass and obesity that may impact on kidney dis... more Preterm birth is associated with decreased nephron mass and obesity that may impact on kidney disease progression in later life. Our objectives were to examine the relative risks of obesity and preterm birth on the progression of kidney disease in children. In a retrospective cohort study, 80 (44 obese and 36 non-obese) patients with proteinuric kidney disease were studied for disease progression and glomerular histomorphometry. Of the obese, 22 had been born at term (Obese-T) and 22 had been preterm (Obese-PT). Seventeen non-obese children with focal glomerular sclerosis, born at term (NO-FSGS), and 19 non-obese preterm (NO-PT) children, served as controls. Insulin resistance as measured by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) was elevated in all obese children. Obese-PT patients had increased risk of renal demise during childhood when compared with Obese-T children [hazard ratio 2.4; 95% Confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1 to 7.1; P = 0.04]. In obese children, although proteinu...
Clinics, 2014
In this review, we identify important challenges facing physicians responsible for renal and card... more In this review, we identify important challenges facing physicians responsible for renal and cardiac transplantation in children based on a review of the contemporary medical literature. Regarding pediatric renal transplantation, we discuss the challenge of antibody-mediated rejection, focusing on both acute and chronic antibody-mediated rejection. We review new diagnostic approaches to antibody-mediated rejection, such as panel-reactive antibodies, donor-specific cross-matching, antibody assays, risk assessment and diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection, the pathology of antibody-mediated rejection, the issue of ABO incompatibility in renal transplantation, new therapies for antibody-mediated rejection, inhibiting of residual antibodies, the suppression or depletion of B-cells, genetic approaches to treating acute antibody-mediated rejection, and identifying future translational research directions in kidney transplantation in children. Regarding pediatric cardiac transplantation, we discuss the mechanisms of cardiac transplant rejection, including the role of endomyocardial biopsy in detecting graft rejection and the role of biomarkers in detecting cardiac graft rejection, including biomarkers of inflammation, cardiomyocyte injury, or stress. We review cardiac allograft vasculopathy. We also address the role of genetic analyses, including genome-wide association studies, gene expression profiling using entities such as AlloMap®, and adenosine triphosphate release as a measure of immune function using the Cylex® ImmuKnow™ cell function assay. Finally, we identify future translational research directions in heart transplantation in children.
Nephron, 1985
Peritoneal fluxes of minerals and bone-modulating hormones and their impact on corresponding seru... more Peritoneal fluxes of minerals and bone-modulating hormones and their impact on corresponding serum levels and bone mineralization in 7 children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) were studied. Most mass transfer studies revealed modest losses of calcium into peritoneal effluents. Peritoneal losses of phosphorus and magnesium, although substantial, were not sufficient to normalize hyperphosphatemia and hypermagnesemia in most patients. Parathormone and vitamin D metabolites (25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) were readily detectable in peritoneal effluents. Improved bone mineral content, by sequential densitometries, was associated with amelioration of hyperparathyroidism. These data suggest that CAPD in children induces an overall improvement of disturbed mineral metabolism; nevertheless, peritoneal losses of calcium and vitamin D metabolites must be considered and replenished appropriately.
Seminars in Nuclear Medicine, 2009
Current clinical requirements mandate the existence of a renal diuretic protocol, which is fast a... more Current clinical requirements mandate the existence of a renal diuretic protocol, which is fast and easy, applicable in all ages and for all indications, convenient for both the patient and the technologist, and provides diagnostic as well as prognostic information. Seventeen years ago a 25-minute protocol, after oral hydration, with no bladder catheterization, and simultaneous injection of mercapto-acetyl-triglycine (MAG 3 ) and furosemide (MAG 3 -F 0 ), was initiated. It initially was used for the evaluation of drainage and emerged as a protocol to also evaluate the renal parenchyma. Results of this protocol have been published individually, per clinical application. MAG 3 -F 0 was instrumental in the evaluation and prognosis of congenital disorders. For obstruction, in the newborn, an increasing renogram mandates intervention, whereas a downsloping one predicts spontaneous resolution. In children or adults, preoperatively or postoperatively, when the cortex was visualized and drained normally, there was no obstruction, even if urine was retained within a dilated collecting system or an extrarenal pelvis. For diseases of the renal parenchyma, the protocol enabled the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) revealing the "regional parenchymal dysfunction," diagnostic of APN. Diffuse parenchymal diseases were characterized by increased residual cortical activity (RCA), and their progression was manifested as a deterioration of RCA. End-stage renal disease was characterized by lack of accumulation and retention. Trauma and leaks were identified with specific patterns. In renovascular hypertension (RVH), an increase in RCA after angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitors is diagnostic of RVH and prognostic of the beneficial effect of angioplasty on hypertension. In renal colic, stratification was possible into (1) complete or severe obstruction requiring immediate intervention, (2) mild obstruction allowing waiting, (3) spontaneous decompression (stunned kidney), and (4) no recent obstruction. In transplants, it enabled differentiation of acute tubular necrosis, acute or chronic rejection and nephrotoxicity, and identified infarcts, RVH, leaks and obstruction. Finally, this method allows for a quick semiquantification of renal function. The clinical usefulness of the MAG 3 -F 0 protocol in most congenital or acquired renal problems is proven through long-term clinical experience and has resulted in a substantial utilization of the test at our Center. Semin Nucl Med 39:156-173
Pediatric Nephrology, 2007
Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) clinically presents with seizures, sever... more Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) clinically presents with seizures, severe headaches, and mental and visual changes. Our goal was to describe the clinical features, triggering factors, neuro-imaging findings, and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in a pediatric cohort with renal disease. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 18 children with the diagnosis of PRES between January 2001 and June 2006 at the
Pediatric Research, 1998
Children with HIV infection, with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), develop n... more Children with HIV infection, with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), develop nephropathy (HIVN) in 15% of the cases. HIVN is defined as persistent proteinuria for> 24-48 hrs without fever in HIV infected children without other demonstrable infection. ...
Pediatric Nephrology, 2009
Three children under the age of 3 years presented with malignant hypertension, proteinuria, and a... more Three children under the age of 3 years presented with malignant hypertension, proteinuria, and acute kidney injury. Takayasu's arteritis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms of weight loss and low grade fever in conjunction with elevated sedimentation rate and radiographic evidence of aortic and renal artery stenosis. One patient had a renal biopsy which showed arteriolar sclerosis and focal glomerulosclerosis. All three patients required multiple antihypertensive agents, ultimately including angiotensin receptor blockers and/or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The vasculitis was treated with pulse corticosteroids followed by cyclophosphamide in one patient and mycophenolate mofetil as maintenance therapy in all. Follow-up has ranged from 2 to 8 years. Although global renal function has normalized in each patient, two have unilateral non-function of one kidney. The last patient has persistent aortic and renal artery stenosis with complex collateralization requiring ongoing medical and anticipated surgical management.
Pediatric Nephrology, 1993
Varying components of the syndrome of human immunodeficiency virus nephropathy (HIVN) have been d... more Varying components of the syndrome of human immunodeficiency virus nephropathy (HIVN) have been described, the most pertinent including proteinuria/nephrotic syndrome, progressive azotemia, normal blood pressure, enlarged and hyperechoic kidneys, rapid progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and no response to treatment regimens. The diagnosis of HIVN requires identification of excessive proteinuria or albuminuria, determined by a total protein excretion on a timed urine collection or a high protein/creatinine ratio in a random specimen. Various pathological lesions have been found in HIVN. The lesion of focal and segmental sclerosis (FS/FSS) is most characteristic in adults and usually is associated with a rapid demise. FS/FSS also has been described in approximately one-half of the pediatric patients reported in the literature (31/64). Despite progression to ESRD, the clinical course in children with HIVN is less fulminant than in adults. Other reported histological findings include primarily mesangial hyperplasia as well as minimal change, focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis or lupus nephritis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. In addition to glomerular pathology, interstitial findings of dilated tubules filled with a unique proteinaceous material, atrophied tubular epithelium, and interstitial cell infiltration are very common. On electron microscopy, most investigators have found tubuloreticular inclusion bodies in endothelial cells of glomerular capillaries. Treatment of patients who develop ESRD remains highly controversial. Most adult patients treated with hemodialysis have succumbed rapidly; peritoneal dialysis has been better tolerated. Transplantation in patients with HIV infection must be considered to be tentative, with reports of acceleration towards full blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in some and uneventful 5-year survival in others.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pediatric Nephrology, 2006
Pediatric Nephrology, 2006
Tunneled central venous catheters are often used in children on chronic hemodialysis. This study ... more Tunneled central venous catheters are often used in children on chronic hemodialysis. This study was done to evaluate the spectrum of catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) and to determine predictors of recurrent CRB in children on hemodialysis. Chart review was performed in 59 children from a pediatric dialysis unit with chronic, tunneled, cuffed hemodialysis catheters between January 1999 and December 2003. CRB was diagnosed in 48 of 59 (81%) patients. The incidence of CRB was 4.8/1,000 catheter days. Overall catheter survival (290+/-216 days) was significantly longer than infection-free catheter survival (210+/-167 days, p<0.05). Organisms isolated were gram-positive in 67%, gram-negative in 14%, and polymicrobial in 19%. Systemic antibiotics cleared CRB in 34% and an additional 23% cleared with the inclusion of antibiotic-heparin locks; 43% required catheter exchange. There was a significant likelihood of early catheter exchange with polymicrobial CRB (p<0.01). Catheter loss occurred from infection in 63%. Risk factors for CRB included young age (<10 years) and presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Patients with >2 initial positive blood cultures (p<0.0001) had a significantly higher rate of recurrence after 6 weeks of initial treatment. In conclusion, CRB remains a major determinant of catheter loss. However, overall catheter survival is longer than infection-free catheter survival, suggesting that systemic antibiotics with antibiotic-heparin locks should be the initial step in the management of CRB and this approach may salvage some catheters.
Clinical kidney journal, 2014
Children undergoing chronic hemodialysis are at risk of cardiovascular disease and often develop ... more Children undergoing chronic hemodialysis are at risk of cardiovascular disease and often develop left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is known to better predict cardiovascular morbidity than casual blood pressure (BP) measurement. Given the BP variability attributed to interdialytic fluid overload, 44-h ABPM should better delineate cardiovascular morbidity in pediatric hemodialysis patients. In this cross-sectional study, 17 children (16.7 ± 2.9 years) on chronic hemodialysis underwent 44-h interdialytic ABPM and routine echocardiogram. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated by height-based equation; LVH was defined as an LVMI in the ≥95th percentile for height-age and gender. Hypertension was defined by the recommendations of the Fourth Report of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program for casual measurements, and by those of the American Heart Association for ABPM. Twenty-four percentage of patients ...
Clinical kidney journal, 2014
Pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of early cardiovascula... more Pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of early cardiovascular disease and premature death. Abnormalities in microvascular structure and function may presage end-organ damage including vascular calcification and myocardial ischemia associated with disordered mineral metabolism. Early detection of microvascular rarefaction (reduced density of capillaries) may identify at-risk patients and prompt timely therapeutic interventions. Our objective was to study capillary rarefaction in pediatric hemodialysis (HD) patients and to determine possible associations with mineral metabolism and cardiac risk biomarkers. Capillary density (CD) was measured by nailfold capillaroscopy in 19 pediatric HD patients and 20 healthy controls. Demographic and biochemical markers were collected at entry and 6-month follow-up. CD was significantly decreased in HD patients compared with controls with a deficit of 24 and 31% at baseline and subsequent follow-up. Maximal CD co...
The Journal of Pediatrics, 2015
Fetuses continue to be exposed to renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers despite their known ter... more Fetuses continue to be exposed to renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers despite their known teratogenicity and a black box warning. We hypothesized that fetopathy from in utero exposure to RAS blockers has a broader spectrum of clinical manifestations than described previously and that there are a variety of clinical scenarios leading to such exposures. This was a retrospective study performed through the Midwest Pediatric Nephrology Consortium. Cases of RAS blocker fetopathy were identified, with determination of renal and extrarenal manifestations, timing of exposure, and the explanation for the fetal exposure. Twenty-four cases were identified. RAS blocker exposure after the first trimester was associated with more severe renal manifestations. Chronic dialysis or kidney transplantation was required in 8 of 17 (47%) patients with RAS blocker exposure after the first trimester and 0 of 7 patients with exposure restricted to the first trimester (P = .05). Extrarenal manifestations, some not previously noted in the literature, included central nervous system anomalies (cystic encephalomalacia, cortical blindness, sensorineural hearing loss, arachnoid cysts) and pulmonary complications (pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum). RAS blocker exposure usually was secondary to absent or poor prenatal care or undiagnosed pregnancy. RAS blocker fetopathy continues to be a cause of considerable morbidity, with more severe renal manifestations associated with exposure after the first trimester. A variety of significant extrarenal manifestations occur in these patients. Clinicians should emphasize the risk of fetopathy when prescribing RAS blockers to women of childbearing age.
Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine, 2000
99mTc-DMSA late static planar imaging or SPECT is being used for the investigation of focal acute... more 99mTc-DMSA late static planar imaging or SPECT is being used for the investigation of focal acute pyelonephritis (APN), especially in children with urinary tract infection (UTI). Diuretic 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) dynamic scintirenography has been applied in the evaluation of kidney function and structure, frequently to exclude obstruction. However, in children and adults with a clinical picture of APN, diuretic MAG3 scintigraphy with zero time injection of furosemide (MAG3-F0) was observed to display focal parenchymal abnormalities; regional dysfunction (focal parenchymal decrease in early uptake; slow filling in and prolonged late retention of activity); or, less frequently, fixed defects. This observation was further studied both retrospectively and prospectively, and its sensitivity and specificity for APN were compared with those of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). In the retrospective study, for 36 children with UTI and regional parenchymal findings on MAG3-F(0), da...
Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine, 2000
HIV nephropathy (HIVN) is prevalent in 15%-56% of HIV-infected children and induces mild to sever... more HIV nephropathy (HIVN) is prevalent in 15%-56% of HIV-infected children and induces mild to severe progressive nephropathy. A total of 33 renal diuretic scintirenographic studies with 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) were reviewed and analyzed from 23 HIV pediatric patients, 21 of whom had HIVN with varying degrees of renal impairment. Results were compared with 10 studies of control patients of matching ages. Visual interpretation of images and renograms as well as semiquantitative analyses were performed. Variables compared were size of kidneys, time of peak and one-half peak activities, residual (or retained) cortical activity at 20 min, ratio of cortical activity at 2.5-20 min, and ratio of kidney activity to kidney plus background activity at 2 min. The results of MAG3 renal studies were also compared with laboratory data pertaining to creatinine clearance in all patients and with sonography in 17 patients. In most patients with HIVN (18/21), the kidneys were larger than n...
Pediatric transplantation, 2011
Pereira T, Rojas CP, Garcia-Buitrago MT, Chandar J, Abitbol C, Seeherunvong W, Rusconi P, Bruce J... more Pereira T, Rojas CP, Garcia-Buitrago MT, Chandar J, Abitbol C, Seeherunvong W, Rusconi P, Bruce JH, Zilleruelò G. A child with BK virus infection: Inadequacy of current therapeutic strategies. Pediatr Transplantation 2011. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: In this report, we describe the development of BKVN in the native kidneys of a child with a cardiac transplant. Elevated BK viral DNA load by PCR necessitated a prolonged course of treatment with escalating doses of cidofovir. Despite a reduction in plasma BK viral load, the infection evolved into an invasive CNS disease, resulting in rhomboencephalitis. This case highlights the need for awareness of the possibility of developing multiorgan complications from BKV infection. The current treatment options for BKV tissue invasive disease are inadequate and need to be improved.
Pediatric Nephrology, 1999
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition scintirenography was performed to help establish t... more Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition scintirenography was performed to help establish the diagnosis and plan treatment of renovascular hypertension (RVH) in 57 hypertensive pediatric patients, 33 infants and 24 children older than 1 year. In 16 of 33 hypertensive infants, ACE inhibition scintirenography established the diagnosis of RVH from renal ischemia (due to aortic or renal arterial thrombi). Two scintigraphic criteria were used for the diagnosis of RVH: criterion I, ischemic and damaged kidney (a non-functioning kidney on or off ACE inhibition) and criterion II, ischemic but not damaged kidney (ACE inhibition induced deterioration of function of the kidney). When criterion I was present and the contralateral kidney was normal, ACE inhibitors could be used for treatment of hypertension without deterioration of renal function; kidneys satisfying criterion I eventually involuted or manifested growth arrest and frequently caused persistent RVH, even after resolution of the thrombus, requiring nephrectomy. When criterion II was present bilaterally, or it was associated with criterion I contralaterally, the use of antihypertensive drugs other than ACE inhibitors was necessary in order to prevent renal insufficiency or failure from ACE inhibitors. However, kidneys with criterion II showed normal growth and, following retraction or dissolution of the aortic thrombus, hypertension resolved. In 2 of 24 hypertensive children older than 1 year, the test was diagnostic of branch renal artery stenosis; RVH was cured by selective angioplasty. ACE inhibition scintirenography is useful in the evalua-tion and planning of treatment in children with hypertension and may predict the outcome of therapy and ultimate renal function.
Pediatric Nephrology, 2004
Recurrence of focal glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) following renal transplantation is a common cause o... more Recurrence of focal glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) following renal transplantation is a common cause of allograft loss and clinical morbidity. Recent attempts to control proteinuria and morbidity with plasmapheresis (PP) have met with limited success. Our experience with the use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and angiotensin blockade (AB) in the management of refractory FSGS pre transplant suggested its potential benefit in post-transplant recurrence. This report presents our 25-year experience in pediatric renal transplantation of patients with FSGS divided into two treatment eras: Era 1-prior to use of daclizumab (anti-IL-2R) and Era 2-after daclizumab. A total of 179 pediatric patients were transplanted during the 25-year period. FSGS was confirmed in 27 (15%); 16 of 28 allografts (57%) had recurrence of FSGS during the post-transplant period. In Era 1, only 6 of 16 (38%) recurred in the allograft, while 10 of 12 (83%) recurred during Era 2. The odds ratio of recurrence of FSGS in the allograft after induction with anti-IL-2R was 8.3 (95% confidence interval=1.3-52, P =0.02). Only 2 patients in Era 1 received PP, while 10 in Era 2 were entered into an intensive PP protocol followed by maintenance with AB consisting of angiotensin receptor blockers alone, or in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Although proteinuria decreased an average of 80€16% with PP, the response was variable and severe morbid edema persisted in poor responders. Maximum benefit occurred with the addition of AB and MMF. After a follow-up of 27€15 months, proteinuria has shown a sustained decrease of 94€8% below baseline. In conclusion, our experience suggests that, with recurrent FSGS, a limited course of PP followed by maintenance therapy with AB and MMF improves symptoms and may preserve allograft function.
Pediatric Research, 1984
ABSTRACT
Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany), 2009
Preterm birth is associated with decreased nephron mass and obesity that may impact on kidney dis... more Preterm birth is associated with decreased nephron mass and obesity that may impact on kidney disease progression in later life. Our objectives were to examine the relative risks of obesity and preterm birth on the progression of kidney disease in children. In a retrospective cohort study, 80 (44 obese and 36 non-obese) patients with proteinuric kidney disease were studied for disease progression and glomerular histomorphometry. Of the obese, 22 had been born at term (Obese-T) and 22 had been preterm (Obese-PT). Seventeen non-obese children with focal glomerular sclerosis, born at term (NO-FSGS), and 19 non-obese preterm (NO-PT) children, served as controls. Insulin resistance as measured by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) was elevated in all obese children. Obese-PT patients had increased risk of renal demise during childhood when compared with Obese-T children [hazard ratio 2.4; 95% Confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1 to 7.1; P = 0.04]. In obese children, although proteinu...
Clinics, 2014
In this review, we identify important challenges facing physicians responsible for renal and card... more In this review, we identify important challenges facing physicians responsible for renal and cardiac transplantation in children based on a review of the contemporary medical literature. Regarding pediatric renal transplantation, we discuss the challenge of antibody-mediated rejection, focusing on both acute and chronic antibody-mediated rejection. We review new diagnostic approaches to antibody-mediated rejection, such as panel-reactive antibodies, donor-specific cross-matching, antibody assays, risk assessment and diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection, the pathology of antibody-mediated rejection, the issue of ABO incompatibility in renal transplantation, new therapies for antibody-mediated rejection, inhibiting of residual antibodies, the suppression or depletion of B-cells, genetic approaches to treating acute antibody-mediated rejection, and identifying future translational research directions in kidney transplantation in children. Regarding pediatric cardiac transplantation, we discuss the mechanisms of cardiac transplant rejection, including the role of endomyocardial biopsy in detecting graft rejection and the role of biomarkers in detecting cardiac graft rejection, including biomarkers of inflammation, cardiomyocyte injury, or stress. We review cardiac allograft vasculopathy. We also address the role of genetic analyses, including genome-wide association studies, gene expression profiling using entities such as AlloMap®, and adenosine triphosphate release as a measure of immune function using the Cylex® ImmuKnow™ cell function assay. Finally, we identify future translational research directions in heart transplantation in children.
Nephron, 1985
Peritoneal fluxes of minerals and bone-modulating hormones and their impact on corresponding seru... more Peritoneal fluxes of minerals and bone-modulating hormones and their impact on corresponding serum levels and bone mineralization in 7 children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) were studied. Most mass transfer studies revealed modest losses of calcium into peritoneal effluents. Peritoneal losses of phosphorus and magnesium, although substantial, were not sufficient to normalize hyperphosphatemia and hypermagnesemia in most patients. Parathormone and vitamin D metabolites (25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) were readily detectable in peritoneal effluents. Improved bone mineral content, by sequential densitometries, was associated with amelioration of hyperparathyroidism. These data suggest that CAPD in children induces an overall improvement of disturbed mineral metabolism; nevertheless, peritoneal losses of calcium and vitamin D metabolites must be considered and replenished appropriately.
Seminars in Nuclear Medicine, 2009
Current clinical requirements mandate the existence of a renal diuretic protocol, which is fast a... more Current clinical requirements mandate the existence of a renal diuretic protocol, which is fast and easy, applicable in all ages and for all indications, convenient for both the patient and the technologist, and provides diagnostic as well as prognostic information. Seventeen years ago a 25-minute protocol, after oral hydration, with no bladder catheterization, and simultaneous injection of mercapto-acetyl-triglycine (MAG 3 ) and furosemide (MAG 3 -F 0 ), was initiated. It initially was used for the evaluation of drainage and emerged as a protocol to also evaluate the renal parenchyma. Results of this protocol have been published individually, per clinical application. MAG 3 -F 0 was instrumental in the evaluation and prognosis of congenital disorders. For obstruction, in the newborn, an increasing renogram mandates intervention, whereas a downsloping one predicts spontaneous resolution. In children or adults, preoperatively or postoperatively, when the cortex was visualized and drained normally, there was no obstruction, even if urine was retained within a dilated collecting system or an extrarenal pelvis. For diseases of the renal parenchyma, the protocol enabled the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) revealing the "regional parenchymal dysfunction," diagnostic of APN. Diffuse parenchymal diseases were characterized by increased residual cortical activity (RCA), and their progression was manifested as a deterioration of RCA. End-stage renal disease was characterized by lack of accumulation and retention. Trauma and leaks were identified with specific patterns. In renovascular hypertension (RVH), an increase in RCA after angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitors is diagnostic of RVH and prognostic of the beneficial effect of angioplasty on hypertension. In renal colic, stratification was possible into (1) complete or severe obstruction requiring immediate intervention, (2) mild obstruction allowing waiting, (3) spontaneous decompression (stunned kidney), and (4) no recent obstruction. In transplants, it enabled differentiation of acute tubular necrosis, acute or chronic rejection and nephrotoxicity, and identified infarcts, RVH, leaks and obstruction. Finally, this method allows for a quick semiquantification of renal function. The clinical usefulness of the MAG 3 -F 0 protocol in most congenital or acquired renal problems is proven through long-term clinical experience and has resulted in a substantial utilization of the test at our Center. Semin Nucl Med 39:156-173
Pediatric Nephrology, 2007
Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) clinically presents with seizures, sever... more Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) clinically presents with seizures, severe headaches, and mental and visual changes. Our goal was to describe the clinical features, triggering factors, neuro-imaging findings, and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in a pediatric cohort with renal disease. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 18 children with the diagnosis of PRES between January 2001 and June 2006 at the
Pediatric Research, 1998
Children with HIV infection, with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), develop n... more Children with HIV infection, with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), develop nephropathy (HIVN) in 15% of the cases. HIVN is defined as persistent proteinuria for> 24-48 hrs without fever in HIV infected children without other demonstrable infection. ...
Pediatric Nephrology, 2009
Three children under the age of 3 years presented with malignant hypertension, proteinuria, and a... more Three children under the age of 3 years presented with malignant hypertension, proteinuria, and acute kidney injury. Takayasu's arteritis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms of weight loss and low grade fever in conjunction with elevated sedimentation rate and radiographic evidence of aortic and renal artery stenosis. One patient had a renal biopsy which showed arteriolar sclerosis and focal glomerulosclerosis. All three patients required multiple antihypertensive agents, ultimately including angiotensin receptor blockers and/or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The vasculitis was treated with pulse corticosteroids followed by cyclophosphamide in one patient and mycophenolate mofetil as maintenance therapy in all. Follow-up has ranged from 2 to 8 years. Although global renal function has normalized in each patient, two have unilateral non-function of one kidney. The last patient has persistent aortic and renal artery stenosis with complex collateralization requiring ongoing medical and anticipated surgical management.
Pediatric Nephrology, 1993
Varying components of the syndrome of human immunodeficiency virus nephropathy (HIVN) have been d... more Varying components of the syndrome of human immunodeficiency virus nephropathy (HIVN) have been described, the most pertinent including proteinuria/nephrotic syndrome, progressive azotemia, normal blood pressure, enlarged and hyperechoic kidneys, rapid progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and no response to treatment regimens. The diagnosis of HIVN requires identification of excessive proteinuria or albuminuria, determined by a total protein excretion on a timed urine collection or a high protein/creatinine ratio in a random specimen. Various pathological lesions have been found in HIVN. The lesion of focal and segmental sclerosis (FS/FSS) is most characteristic in adults and usually is associated with a rapid demise. FS/FSS also has been described in approximately one-half of the pediatric patients reported in the literature (31/64). Despite progression to ESRD, the clinical course in children with HIVN is less fulminant than in adults. Other reported histological findings include primarily mesangial hyperplasia as well as minimal change, focal necrotizing glomerulonephritis or lupus nephritis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. In addition to glomerular pathology, interstitial findings of dilated tubules filled with a unique proteinaceous material, atrophied tubular epithelium, and interstitial cell infiltration are very common. On electron microscopy, most investigators have found tubuloreticular inclusion bodies in endothelial cells of glomerular capillaries. Treatment of patients who develop ESRD remains highly controversial. Most adult patients treated with hemodialysis have succumbed rapidly; peritoneal dialysis has been better tolerated. Transplantation in patients with HIV infection must be considered to be tentative, with reports of acceleration towards full blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in some and uneventful 5-year survival in others.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pediatric Nephrology, 2006
Pediatric Nephrology, 2006
Tunneled central venous catheters are often used in children on chronic hemodialysis. This study ... more Tunneled central venous catheters are often used in children on chronic hemodialysis. This study was done to evaluate the spectrum of catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) and to determine predictors of recurrent CRB in children on hemodialysis. Chart review was performed in 59 children from a pediatric dialysis unit with chronic, tunneled, cuffed hemodialysis catheters between January 1999 and December 2003. CRB was diagnosed in 48 of 59 (81%) patients. The incidence of CRB was 4.8/1,000 catheter days. Overall catheter survival (290+/-216 days) was significantly longer than infection-free catheter survival (210+/-167 days, p<0.05). Organisms isolated were gram-positive in 67%, gram-negative in 14%, and polymicrobial in 19%. Systemic antibiotics cleared CRB in 34% and an additional 23% cleared with the inclusion of antibiotic-heparin locks; 43% required catheter exchange. There was a significant likelihood of early catheter exchange with polymicrobial CRB (p<0.01). Catheter loss occurred from infection in 63%. Risk factors for CRB included young age (<10 years) and presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Patients with >2 initial positive blood cultures (p<0.0001) had a significantly higher rate of recurrence after 6 weeks of initial treatment. In conclusion, CRB remains a major determinant of catheter loss. However, overall catheter survival is longer than infection-free catheter survival, suggesting that systemic antibiotics with antibiotic-heparin locks should be the initial step in the management of CRB and this approach may salvage some catheters.