Renal Scarring In Children Research Articles

Vesicoureteral Reflux and Renal Scarring in Children with Acute Pyelonephritis: the Role of Late 6-month Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Renal Scan

Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical utility of late 6-month dimercapto-succinic acid (DMSA) renal scan in predicting vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and long-lasting renal scars in children with first acute pyelonephritis (APN). Methods A retrospective case study of children admitted with APN from January 2010 to July 2017 was performed. The study included patients with voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and acute and late 6-month DMSA scan. We analyzed the clinical, laboratory and imaging findings of patients with and without late cortical defects at 6 months and those with or without VUR. Results Among 145 children with APN, 50 (34.5%) had cortical defects on the late DMSA renal scan and 60 (41.4%) showed VUR. Thirteen of 38 (34.2%) children undergoing 18-month DMSA renal scan showed a long-lasting renal scars. Compared with children without late cortical defects, patients with late 6-month cortical defects had a higher incidence of VUR and long-lasting renal scars, and relapse of UTI (all P<0.05). In a multivariable analysis, both high-grade VUR and relapse of UTI were independently correlated with the presence of late 6-month cortical defects (P<0.05). Late cortical defects and relapse of UTI were also associated with the presence of VUR (P<0.05). Only the late 6-mo cortical defects was an independent predictor of long-lasting renal scars in children with APN (P<0.05). Conclusion An abnormal late 6-month DMSA renal scan may be useful in identifying VUR and long-lasting renal scars in children diagnosed with APN. Key words: Renal scarring; Acute pyelonephritis; Vesicoureteral reflux; Dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan

The risk factors for recurrence of febrile urinary tract infection and renal scarring in children with functional urinary incontinence.

Functional urinary incontinence is often associated with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and renal scarring. This study aims to evaluate the correlations between urodynamic findings and recurrence of UTI, VUR, and renal scarring in children with functional incontinence. In this retrospective observational study, data on the presence of VUR, urodynamics and 99Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy findings, and episodes of febrile UTI were obtained from patients' records. The patients had at least 3 years of follow-up. There were significant associations between recurrence of UTI and decreased bladder capacity (hazard ratio: 1.321, P = .028). The receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed a cutoff value for compliance of 13.25 mL/cmH2 O for renal scarring (P = .000). There was a significant association between bladder wall thickening and VUR (odds ratio: 2.311, P = .008). The compliance had a cutoff value of 14.7 mL/cm H2 O (P = .023) for severe VUR. The frequency of renal scarring was higher in patients with severe VUR and dysfunctional voiding (P = .001 and P = .041, respectively). The independent risk factors for renal scarring were low compliance, severe VUR, and dysfunctional voiding in children with functional incontinence, but recurrence of febrile UTI was not a risk factor for renal scarring. Decreased bladder capacity was a risk factor for recurrence of febrile UTI. The present study suggests that low compliance, severe VUR, and dysfunctional voiding, but not the recurrence of febrile UTI, are the independent risk factors for renal scarring in children with functional incontinence, and decreased bladder capacity is the risk factor for the recurrence of febrile UTI.

Estimation of renal scarring in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction by utilizing resampling technique and machine learning algorithms

Aim: Classical database methods may be inadequate for large data sets accumulating continuously. Machine learning (ML), one of the main subsets of artificial intelligence, may solve this problem and find the best solution for future problems by gaining experience from the present data in medical studies. A method that may show the correlation between clinical findings and renal scarring (RS) with high accuracy in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is needed. In this study, the aim is to establish a model for the prediction of RS in children with LUTD by using ML. Methods: Patients older than three years of age (n=114) who needed urodynamic study were included in the study. There were 47 variables in the data set. Variables such as symptomatic urinary tract infection, vesicoureteral reflux, bladder trabeculation, bladder wall thickness, abnormal DMSA scintigraphy, and the use of clean intermittent catheterization were recorded. Several ML techniques (MLT) were applied to estimate RS. Results: As a result of the comparisons, the highest accuracy rate according to the confusion matrix was obtained by the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) algorithm (91.30%). In the balanced (SMOTE) data set, the highest accuracy rate was obtained by the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm (90.63%). According to the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC), the highest success rate was obtained by the ANN algorithm in the balanced (SMOTE) data set (90.78%). Conclusion: High accuracy rates obtained by MLT may suggest that MLT might provide a faster and accurate evaluation process in the estimation of RS in patients with LUTD.

Associations of Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin, Anemia, and Renal Scarring in Children with Febrile Urinary Tract Infections.

BackgroundNeutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a bacteriostatic agent, is known to inhibit erythropoiesis leading to anemia. We aimed to investigate the associations of NGAL, anemia, and renal scarring in children with febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 261 children with febrile UTIs. The relationship between the presence of anemia and plasma NGAL levels was investigated. NGAL performance in comparison with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) at admission and after 72 hours of treatment was also evaluated for the prediction of renal scarring as well as acute pyelonephritis (APN) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).ResultsPlasma NGAL levels were elevated in patients with anemia compared with those without anemia. Multiple linear regression analysis showed an inverse relationship between NGAL levels and erythrocyte counts (standard β = −0.397, P < 0.001). Increased NGAL, but not CRP, was independently associated with the presence of anemia (odds ratio [OR], 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–5.27; P < 0.05). Receiver operating curve analyses showed good diagnostic profiles of pre- and post-treatment NGAL for identifying APN, VUR, and renal scarring (all P < 0.05). For detecting renal scars, the area under the curve of post-treatment NGAL (0.730; 95% CI, 0.591–0.843) was higher than that of post-treatment CRP (0.520; 95% CI, 0.395–0.643; P < 0.05). The presence of anemia and elevated NGAL at admission (> 150 ng/mL) were independent risk factors for renal scarring in children with febrile UTIs. With anemia, NGAL levels increased consecutively in children with febrile UTI without renal involvement, with APN without scar, and with APN with renal scarring.ConclusionIncreased plasma NGAL levels may be associated with the presence of anemia and renal scarring in children with febrile UTIs.

URINARY EXCRETION OF TGF-Β1 AND VEGF IN CHILDREN WITH VESICOURETERAL REFLUX

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between urinary TGF-β1, urinary VEGF and renal scarring resulted from VUR. Materials and methods: This study included 141 patients with VUR and 34 healthy sex and age matched children. The statistical analysis consisted of descriptive statistical parameters, KruskalWallis, Mann-Whitney tests and ROC analysis. Results: The urine levels of TGF-β1 and VEGF were significantly increased in children with VUR, compared to the controls. The levels of TGF-β1 urine excretion in children with renal scarring were higher compared children no renal scarring. The indicators of VEGF urine excretion in children with renal scarring compared to indicators in children no renal scarring, were lower, however exceeded the indicators in children of control group. The area under the ROC curve for TGF-β1 was 109.9, for VEGF was 207.6. Conclusions: The study allowed to substantiate and propose non-invasive methods for early diagnosis of renal scarring in children with VUR.

Current status of long-term antibiotic prophylaxis for urinary tract infections in children: An antibiotic stewardship challenge.

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children are associated with development of pyelonephritis and renal scarring. Traditionally, continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) has been used to prevent recurrent UTI. Recent studies have challenged the efficacy of CAP for preventing renal scarring and have raised concerns about inducing bacterial resistance. This review focuses on studies published between January 2000 and April 2019 and evaluates the use of CAP in children for avoiding recurrent UTIs and renal scarring. A systematic literature search was carried out using the following search terms and related medical subject headings in the MEDLINE electronic database: ‘urinary tract infection’, ‘antimicrobial/antibiotic prophylaxis’, and ‘children/pediatrics’. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), original research articles, guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses describing antibiotic prophylaxis for UTIs were included. A total of 34 RCTs, 9 systematic reviews, and 3 guidelines describing antibiotic prophylaxis were included in this review. The efficacy of CAP for preventing recurrent UTI remains unclear due to non-generalizability of results obtained from suboptimally designed clinical trials. CAP has not been proven as beneficial for preventing new renal scarring in children. Additionally, CAP is associated with increased risk of multidrug resistant infections in children. No conclusive evidence can be drawn from the available clinical data to support routine use of CAP for prevention of renal scarring. Accumulation of evidence from additional well designed studies may result in different conclusions in the future. It is important to identify specific risks for recurrent UTI and ensuing renal injury to ensure more judicious use of CAP.

Long-term outcomes of urinary tract infection (UTI) in childhood: The LUCI study

Background Guidelines recommend the prompt diagnosis and treatment of UTI in young children to reduce the risk of renal scarring and possible long-term complications. However, the evidence for this association is weak and has been questioned. There is an urgent need to clarify this as the correct approach to urine sampling and diagnosis of UTI in children hinges on this association.&#x0D; Main Aim Determine outcomes following UTI in childhood (&lt;5years)&#x0D; Approach We used the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank to access demographic, hospital, GP and microbiology data from children in Wales. Children with &gt;1 microbiologically confirmed UTI (mcUTI) aged &lt;5, were compared to those with no mcUTI. The primary outcome was renal scarring and secondary outcomes included hypertension, chronic kidney disease and renal failure. The primary analysis used multinomial regression and time to event models.&#x0D; Results A cohort of 159,201 children was defined. 11,099 (7.0%) had &gt;1 mcUTI.&#x0D; The overall prevalence of renal scarring in the cohort by age 7 was 0.16%; 1.26% in those with &gt;1 mcUTI; 0.08% in those with no mcUTI. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) was 16.62 (12.91-21.39) and adjusted 3.64 (2.57-5.14). Among the group with &gt;1 mcUTI, predictors of renal scarring were VUR, younger age of first UTI, and greater number of UTIs &lt;5&#x0D; Conclusion UTI was associated with renal scarring even after adjusting for covariates.&#x0D; The prevalence of renal scarring in children with &gt;1 mcUTI was lower than expected. Possible explanations include poor coding in routine data, different patient populations or missed renal scarring diagnoses. We are currently validating our results using radiology data. If renal scarring diagnoses are being missed, a more proactive urine sampling and imaging strategy may be indicated. However, if renal scarring rates are low following UTI, this may not be necessary.

Serum soluble ST2 as a marker of renal scar in pediatric upper urinary tract infection

Background and objectivesUpper urinary tract infection is the most common serious bacterial infection in childhood. Patients with upper urinary tract infection have a risk for renal scarring with subsequent complications including hypertension, proteinuria, and progressive renal failure. However, the predictive biomarkers of renal scarring in children with upper urinary tract infection are still unknown. In this study, we evaluated whether soluble ST2 levels can be biomarkers of subsequent renal scarring in patients with upper urinary tract infection. Design, setting, participants, and measurementsWe retrospectively studied pediatric patients with upper urinary tract infection at a tertiary center. Twenty-eight children had an upper urinary tract infection with (n = 14) and without (n = 14) renal scarring and underwent 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid imaging. In addition, 13 control subjects were enrolled. The clinical data and serum cytokine levels, including soluble ST2 levels, were compared between those with and without renal scars. ResultsSerum soluble ST2 levels were significantly higher in the scar group than in the non-scar group, whereas there was no difference in the levels of serum interferon-γ, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, and transforming growth factor-β between the scar and non-scar groups. The area under the curve for differentiating between the non-scar and scar groups on the basis of measurements of serum soluble ST2 was 0.79, with a sensitivity and specificity of 92.9% and 64.3%, respectively. ConclusionThese results suggest that serum soluble ST2 levels on admission could be a useful biomarker of subsequent renal scarring in pediatric patients with upper urinary tract infection.

The pathogenesis and management of renal scarring in children with vesicoureteric reflux and pyelonephritis.

Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common reasons for children to be admitted to hospital. Bacteria infect and invade the bladder (the lower urinary tract) and if the infection disseminates to the upper urinary tract, significant inflammation in the kidneys may arise. Inflammation is a double-edged sword: it is needed to clear bacteria, but if excessive, kidney tissue is injured. During injury, nephrons are destroyed and replaced with deposition of extracellular matrix and a renal scar. In this review, we explore the pathogenesis of UTIs and discuss the risk factors that result in dissemination of bladder infection to the kidneys. Three major risk factors predispose to kidney infections: the presence of vesicoureteric reflux, the presence of bladder and bowel dysfunction, and defects in the ability of the host immune response to clear bacteria. In this review, we will discuss these factors, their relationship to renal scarring, and potential treatments that might be beneficial to prevent renal scar formation in children.

Renal scarring following urinary tract infections in children.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection seen in younger age group children. The most common risk factor for renal scarring in children with post-UTI is vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). This study looked at renal scarring following UTI in children by dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan. It is a cross-sectional time bound study done among 40 infants and children with UTI for a period of 24 months. Their clinical presentation and laboratory data, including micturating cystourethrogram, were documented. DMSA scan, done during the follow-up, established the presence of renal scars if any. UTI was more common in males. Children with history of recurrent UTI had renal scarring. Statistical significance was noted when first and recurrent attacks of UTI were compared for clinical and diagnostic characteristics like Escherichia coli UTI (p = 0.007), increasing grades of VUR (p = 0.006) and renal scar formation (p = 0.041). The study concluded that the high grades of antenatal hydroureteronephrosis (100%), febrile UTI (34%), younger age group (67.5%) and E. coli UTI (86%) were more associated with recurrent attacks of UTI and renal scarring. DMSA, being the non-invasive test, is better proven to be an investigation of choice than other invasive modalities for follow-up of children with recurrent attacks of UTI.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Antimicrobial misuse in pediatric urinary tract infections: recurrences and renal scarring

BackgroundIn children, urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of a common bacterial infection. This study was conducted to detect the uropathogen, antimicrobial susceptibility, pathogen associated with recurrences and renal scarring in children initially taken care from general practitioners and later presented to tertiary care.MethodsEvery inward UTI episode, culture and antimicrobial susceptibility was done while on past 6-month, history of infections and use of antimicrobials was collected using clinical records and demonstration of antimicrobials. Children with recurrent pyelonephritis was followed and in vitro bio film formation was assessed.ResultsFrequency of UTI was significantly high among infants (p = 0.03). Last 6-month, all (220) were exposed to antimicrobials. Cefixime was the commonly prescribed antimicrobial (p = 0.02). In current UTI episode, 64.5% (142/220) of children with UTI were consulted GPs’ prior to seek treatment from tertiary care pediatric unit (p = 0.02). While on follow up child who developed UTI, found urine culture isolates were significantly shifted from E. coli and K. pneumoniae to extended spectrum of beta-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Out of 208 participants, 36 of them had re-current pyelonephritis (R-PN). Renal scarring (RS) was detected in 22 out of 70 patients with pyelonephritis following dimercaptosuccinic acid scan. Following each episodes of recurrent pyelonephritis 11% of new scar formation was detected (p = 0.02). Bio film forming E. coli and K. pneumoniae was significantly associated in patients with R-PN (p = 0.04).DiscussionMedical care providers often prescribe antimicrobials without having an etiological diagnosis. While continuing exposure of third generation cephalosporin and carbapenem leads to development of ESBL and CRE microbes in great. The empiric uses of antimicrobials need to be stream lined with local epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. R-PN in childhood leads to RS. In great, bio film formation act as the focus for such recurrences.

Comparison of DMSA Scintigraphy and USG in Detecting Renal Cortical Scars in Children with Urinary Tract Infection

Objective Multiple imaging techniques may be used to evaluate the development of progressive renal damage in children with urinary tract infections (UTIs). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy and renal ultrasonography (USG) in detecting renal scars in children with UTIs. Methods A total of 630 kidneys from 364 children were included in the study and the results of DMSA and USG of children with UTIs were evaluated retrospectively between January 2016 and October 2017. DMSA scintigraphy is accepted as the gold standard and it was compared with USG results. Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for USG in the detection of renal scarring was found as 57.1, 89.6, 40.8, and 94.4%, respectively. Conclusions Although USG is known to be safe, readily available, and relatively inexpensive, the sensitivity of USG does not seem to be sufficient to identify the renal parenchymal damage. We concluded that USG cannot replace DMSA in the evaluation of renal scarring.

Routine prophylaxis is not necessary to prevent renal scarring in children with urinary tract infection

Routine prophylaxis is not necessary to prevent renal scarring in children with urinary tract infection

Assessment of Agreement between 99mTc-DMSA Renal Scan and Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Renal Pathology in Children with Recurrent urinary tract infection

Imaging of urinary tract plays a very important role in children with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Various imaging techniques are used and the imaging protocol in children with UTI continues to be a subject of debate. Most authors recommended combination of imaging. The children with recurrent urine infection may be at increased risk of renal parenchymal scarring, hypertension, impaired renal function and end stage renal disease. But early diagnosis and timely proper treatment has an excellent prognosis. 99m-Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan and Ultrasonography (US) are routinely performed studies in children with recurrent UTI. If there is agreement between these two investigation procedures, they will be interchangeable, which will benefit the patient by one procedure instead of two. This will be less time consuming and cost effective. This analytical study was carried out at the National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (NINMAS), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University campus, Dhaka, from July 2013 to June 2014, for a period of 12 months. The objective of this study was to assess the agreement between 99mTcdimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan and Ultrasonography (US) US for evaluating the renal size, renal position, pelvicalyceal dilatation, hydronephrosis and renal scarring in children with recurrent UTI. Study population consisted of 85 children with age range of 6 months to 12 years, who had laboratory evidence of at least two incidence of UTI within 6 months period. All children underwent 99mTc-DMSA renal scan (plannar) and renal tract ultrasonography (US). Among 85 children, 26 (30.6%) had normal DMSA scan and 59 (69.4%) had abnormal DMSA scan findings. In case of US, 23 (27.1%) had normal US findings and 62 (72.9%) had abnormal US findings of renal system. The comparison of DMSA renal scan and US findings were done by Kappa analysis to see their agreement in the evaluation of size, position, pelvicalyceal dilatation and hydronephrosis. This study gave an impression that DMSA scan and US has good agreement in the evaluation of renal size, position of the kidney and fair agreement in the evaluation of presence of hydronephrosis. In case of mild pelvicaliceal dilatation evaluation, DMSA was underestimated comparing to US.The overall accuracy of US for the evaluation of focal scarring of right and left kidney were 89.4% and 78.8% respectively. For the evaluation of diffuse scarring the overall accuracy of US were 92.9% and 97.6% for the right and left kidney respectively. Therefore, in the evaluation of renal scarring the accuracy of US was underestimated by using DMSA scan as a gold standard. In the evaluation of kidney size, position and presence of hydronephrosis, both DMSA and US can be interchangeable. Whereas DMSA was underestimated comparing to US in the evaluation of mild pelvicaliceal dilatation. On the other hand DMSA renal scan is more sensitive and specific for detecting cortical scaring compared to the US. In light of present study, both DMSA scan and US are recommended in the combination for complete evaluation of renal abnormalities in recurrent UTI. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 18(1): 32-38, January 2015

Urinary C-megalin for screening of renal scarring in children after febrile urinary tract infection.

BackgroundFebrile urinary tract infection (fUTI) in children may cause renal scarring. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of urinary biomarkers for diagnosing renal scarring after fUTI.MethodsThirty-seven children (median age: 1.36 years, range: 0.52-12.17 years, 25 boys) with a history of fUTI, who underwent renal scintigraphy for 4 months or longer after the last episode of fUTI, were analyzed. A spot urine sample was obtained on the day of renal scintigraphy to measure levels of total protein, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), β2-microglobulin (BMG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), and C-megalin (full-length megalin). Results were corrected for urinary creatinine (Cr) and compared between the group with renal scarring (n=23) and that without scarring (n=14). Urinary levels of C-megalin were also measured in healthy control subjects.ResultsNo significant differences in total protein, NGAL, L-FABP, NAG, and BMG levels were found between the groups. However, C-megalin levels were significantly higher in the renal scarring group than in the non-renal scarring group and healthy controls (P<0.001). A cutoff value of 6.5 pmol/nmol of urinary C-megalin/Cr yielded 73.9% of specificity and 92.9% of sensitivity.ConclusionUrinary C-megalin is useful for diagnosing renal scarring caused by fUTI.

Renal scarring in children under 36 months hospitalised for acute pyelonephritis

Abstract Introduction Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is one of the most common causes of serious bacterial infection in infants. Renal scarring is the most prevalent long-term complication. Objectives To review the incidence of renal scarring within 6 months after an episode of APN in children under 36 months and its relationship with imaging studies, clinical settings, and bacteriology. Method A retrospective study of previously healthy patients aged one to 36 months, admitted for a first episode of APN, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Demographic and clinical variables were collected along with bacteriology, renal and bladder ultrasound scan, voiding cystourethrography, DMSA-scintigraphy, and re-infection events. Results A total of 125 patients were included in the study, of which 60% were male, the large majority (92%) febrile, and due to Escherichia coli (74.6%). There was a history of prenatal ultrasound scan changes in 15.4%. Ultrasound scan found dilation of the urinary tract in 22.1%. Voiding cystourethrography was performed on 70 patients: 54.3% no abnormalities, 12.8% vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) grade i - iii , and 32.9% iv - v grade VUR. Six patients had iv - v grade VUR with a normal ultrasound scan. Adherence to DMSA-scintigraphy at 6 months was only 61% of that indicated. Renal scarring was found in 44.3% of those in which it was performed (60 cases). Conclusions Almost half (44%) DMSA-scintigraphy in children aged one to 36 months hospitalised for APN show renal scarring at 6 months, which was found to be associated with the re-infection events and the iv - v grade VUR. There was no relationship between scarring and the bacteriology or the elevations of inflammatory biochemical markers.

Elucidation of Renal Scars in Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: A Pilot Study

IntroductionVesicoureteral reflux is a common disorder in children but can result in kidney scarring following acute pyelonephritis. The gold standard diagnostic to detect renal scars in children is 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy. DMSA has a number of limitations including radiation exposure, need for sedation, and radiotracer supply shortages. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a technique whereby biocompatible microspheres of inert gas are administered i.v. that reflect ultrasonography sound waves and do not involve radiation. Because the contrast agent is rapidly cleared, contrast images must be obtained within minutes of administration. CEUS has been used in a variety of organ systems, but its use in pediatric kidney diseases is limited.MethodsIn this study, we performed CEUS in 7 children with documented renal scars by radiographic imaging consistent with reflux nephropathy.ResultsIn all subjects, CEUS detected all previously known radiologic abnormalities as well as detecting new areas of hypoenhancing renal parenchyma. None of the patients experienced any serious adverse events.DiscussionThis study represents the first report of using CEUS to characterize renal scars in children with reflux nephropathy. We conclude that CEUS is a highly sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective diagnostic imaging modality for detecting and monitoring renal scars in children with vesicoureteral reflux.

The impact of obesity on febrile urinary tract infection and renal scarring in children with vesicoureteral reflux

It has become clear that obesity is associated with a variety of infectious diseases, including urinary tract infection (UTI) and renal scarring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between obesity and the degree of febrile UTI (fUTI) and renal scarring in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and to stratify the results into obesity subcategories. A total of 186 patients were diagnosed with VUR between January 2002 and December 2008. This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 72 children with primary VUR who had recurrent fUTI (more than twice). Overweight or obese status of the patients aged <2 years was defined using weight-for-length (WFL) measurements. For 2-5 year old children, body mass index (BMI) percentile-for-age was used. They were divided into three groups as follows; standard (<85%), overweight (85-95%), and obese (≥95%). The following clinical variables were compared: age at diagnosis of primary VUR (months), sex, VUR grade, hydronephrosis grade, presence of renal scarring, surgical treatment, and degree of inflammation during fUTI. In the overweight and obese groups, VUR was diagnosed at a young age (P=0.05), the degree of renal scarring was more severe (P=0.006), and serum white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were significantly higher (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). Abnormal focal dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) defects were present in 25 of the 72 children (35%). Cortical defects occurred more frequently in children with obesity, and they were associated with a higher grade of reflux and serum ESR levels (P=0.007, P=0.042, and P=0.021, respectively). Among these risk factors, high-grade VUR (OR=9.93, 95% CI=1.13-86.71), and being overweight and obese (OR=5.26, 95% CI=1.75-15.82) were associated with increased renal scarring. However, ESR was not associated with renal scarring (OR=1.01, 95% CI=0.95-1.07). The relationships between obesity and UTI are controversial. Some studies have shown positive results; however, other studies have shown opposite results. The main limitations of this study were the retrospective data collection via electronic medical records, and the small number of subjects. This study showed that obesity in patients with VUR has an effect on fUTI and renal scar formation. If the patients with VUR have obesity, close follow-up should be performed, and VUR patients should be started on a weight-loss program, which could reduce the number of patients with chronic kidney disease in the future.

Delay in Antibiotic Treatment for UTIs and Renal Scarring

Research Article| October 01 2016 Delay in Antibiotic Treatment for UTIs and Renal Scarring AAP Grand Rounds (2016) 36 (4): 38. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.36-4-38 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Delay in Antibiotic Treatment for UTIs and Renal Scarring. AAP Grand Rounds October 2016; 36 (4): 38. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.36-4-38 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: renal scarring, urinary tract infections, fever Source: Shaikh N, Mattoo TK, Keren R, et al. Early antibiotic treatment for pediatric febrile urinary tract infection and renal scarring [published online ahead of print July 25, 2016]. JAMA Pediatr; doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.1181 Investigators at multiple institutions conducted a retrospective cohort study of data from 2 previous longitudinal studies (the Randomized Intervention for Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux [RIVUR] trial and the Careful Urinary Tract Infection Evaluation [CUTIE] Study) to determine whether delay in the initiation of antimicrobial treatment for febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with the occurrence of renal scarring in children. Participants in the RIVUR and CUTIE studies were 2 to 72 months old, presented for their first or second UTI at primary or subspecialty care settings, and were prospectively followed up for 2 years. The RIVUR study enrolled children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), while the CUTIE study enrolled children without VUR. Parents of participants in each study were asked at enrollment about the duration of their child’s fever before antimicrobial therapy for the index UTI was started. Children in both studies also received a technetium Tc 99m DMSA renal scan at baseline and at either the 24-month follow-up appointment or several months after being withdrawn from the study due to recurrent UTIs. The primary exposure variable was delay in the initiation of antimicrobial therapy, defined as parent self-reported duration of time between the onset of fever and the start of antimicrobial therapy. The primary outcome was new renal scarring, defined as the presence of areas of photopenia plus contour changes on the follow-up DMSA scan that were not present on the baseline scan. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of delay in initiating antimicrobial therapy and new renal scarring after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Of the 802 participants in the RIVUR and CUTIE studies, 482 were included in analysis. Among included participants, 90% were female, 78% were white, 7% had new renal scarring, and the median number of hours to initiation of antimicrobial therapy was 56.3 hours. Participants with new renal scarring had a significantly longer median time to initiation of antimicrobial therapy than those without new renal scarring (72 vs 48 hours, respectively; P = .003). Older age, Hispanic ethnicity, recurrent UTIs, and bladder and bowel dysfunction were also associated with new renal scarring. The association between delay in the initiation of antibiotic therapy and renal scarring remained statistically significant after adjusting for these other variables. The researchers conclude that there is an association between a delay in the initiation of antibiotic treatment and renal scarring. Dr. Brady has disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device. This study demonstrated that a delay of >48 hours in initiating antibiotics for a UTI increases the odds of renal scarring. Strengths of this study are its longitudinal follow-up of children for 2 years and its comparison of baseline and late DMSA scans for... You do not currently have access to this content.

Usefulness of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in young children with febrile urinary tract infection.

PurposeAcute pyelonephritis (APN) is a serious bacterial infection that can cause renal scarring in children. Early identification of APN is critical to improve treatment outcomes. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a prognostic marker of many diseases, but it has not yet been established in urinary tract infection (UTI). The aim of this study was to determine whether NLR is a useful marker to predict APN or vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 298 pediatric patients (age≤36 months) with febrile UTI from January 2010 to December 2014. Conventional infection markers (white blood cell [WBC] count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP]), and NLR were measured.ResultsWBC, CRP, ESR, and NLR were higher in APN than in lower UTI (P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that NLR was a predictive factor for positive dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) defects (P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was high for NLR (P<0.001) as well as CRP (P<0.001) for prediction of DMSA defects. NLR showed the highest area under the ROC curve for diagnosis of VUR (P<0.001).ConclusionNLR can be used as a diagnostic marker of APN with DMSA defect, showing better results than those of conventional markers for VUR prediction.