Scarring In Children Research Articles

Fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of facial scars in children

Facial scars in children have a profound psychosocial impact and require early and aggressive treatment. In this age group in particular, however, attention must be placed on the methodology so as not to trigger additional trauma-whether physical or emotional-as a sequela to the treatment. We assess the safety and efficacy of fractional CO2 in a prospective study of pediatric facial scars from various etiologies. Twenty four children, age 2-16 years, underwent fractional CO2 laser resurfacing. Recovery, clinical response, and adverse events were monitored at 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, and 6 months. Photographs taken before treatment and 2 months after final treatment were independently evaluated and scored by two physicians. All patients tolerated treatment well, with minimal erythema an edema. The clinical improvement was scored as excellent in 14 patients (58%), good in 7 (29%), and fair in 3 (13%). No cases were graded as poor or worse. No adverse events were noted. The study supports the use of fractional CO2 resurfacing of pediatric facial scars as well tolerated and effective. Given the particularly rapid healing and clinical improvement of pediatric skin, fractional CO2 treatment should be offered early to mitigate both the physical and psychosocial stigmata of scars as early as possible.

Prevalence and risk factors for renal scars in children with febrile UTI and/or VUR: A cross-sectional observational study of 565 consecutive patients

PurposeTo determine prevalence and risk factors for renal scar in children referred for urologic assessment of febrile UTI and/or VUR. MethodsPre-determined risk factors for renal scar were prospectively recorded in consecutive patients referred for UTI/VUR. Age, gender, VUR grade, and reported number of febrile and non-febrile UTIs were analyzed with logistic regression to determine risk for focal cortical defects on non-acute DMSA. ResultsOf 565 consecutive children, 24 (4%) had congenital renal dysplasia and 84 (15.5%) had focal defect(s). VUR, especially grades IV–V, recurrent febrile UTI, and older age increased risk. For any age child with the same number of UTIs, VUR increased odds of renal defect 5.4-fold (OR = 5.4, 95% CI = 2.7–10.6, AUC = 0.759). ConclusionsFocal DMSA defects were present in 15.5% of 565 consecutive children referred for febrile UTI and/or VUR; 4% had presumed congenital reflux nephropathy without cortical defect. All VUR grades increased risk for these defects, as did recurrent febrile UTIs and older age. However, 43% with grades IV–V VUR and 76% with recurrent UTI had normal DMSA.

Immunization coverage in young children: A study nested into a health and demographic surveillance system in Burkina Faso

Reliable estimates of immunization coverage are the basis for rational policy making, program implementation and evaluation. Vaccination coverage is usually measured using administrative data or surveys, both having a number of methodological problems. We estimated vaccination coverage using a data set of 11 906 children aged <5 years from an existing Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in north-western Burkina Faso. Data were collected from September 2008 to December 2009. Vaccination coverage based on information from existing vaccination cards ranged from 80% (measles) to 94% (OPV1). When taking into consideration all information available (including BCG scars in children with and without vaccination card), full coverage in children aged 12-23 months was around 75%, with a significantly higher coverage in rural compared with urban areas. There were no differences in vaccination coverage between boys and girls. The study supports other studies that found vaccination coverage improvement in Burkina Faso recently. In addition, our study found slightly better vaccination coverage in rural compared with urban areas, which needs further consideration.

Commentary to ‘Prevalence and risk factors for renal scars in children with febrile UTI and/or VUR: A cross-sectional observational study of 565 consecutive patients’

Commentary to ‘Prevalence and risk factors for renal scars in children with febrile UTI and/or VUR: A cross-sectional observational study of 565 consecutive patients’

Incidence of Abnormal Imaging and Recurrent Pyelonephritis after First Febrile Urinary Tract Infection in Children 2 to 24 Months Old

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) no longer recommends voiding cystourethrogram in children 2 to 24 months old who present with a first urinary tract infection if renal-bladder ultrasound is normal. We identified factors associated with abnormal imaging and recurrent pyelonephritis in this population. We retrospectively evaluated children diagnosed with a first episode of pyelonephritis at age 2 to 24 months using de-identified electronic medical record data from an institutional database. Data included age at first urinary tract infection, gender, race/ethnicity, need for hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic use, history of abnormal prenatal ultrasound, renal-bladder ultrasound and voiding cystourethrogram results, urinary tract infection recurrence and surgical intervention. Risk factors for abnormal imaging and urinary tract infection recurrence were analyzed by univariate logistic regression, the chi-square test and survival analysis. We identified 174 patients. Of the 154 renal-bladder ultrasounds performed 59 (38%) were abnormal. Abnormal prenatal ultrasound (p = 0.01) and the need for hospitalization (p = 0.02) predicted abnormal renal-bladder ultrasound. Of the 95 patients with normal renal-bladder ultrasound 84 underwent voiding cystourethrogram. Vesicoureteral reflux was more likely in patients who were white (p = 0.003), female (p = 0.02) and older (p = 0.04). Despite normal renal-bladder ultrasound, 23 of 84 patients (24%) had dilating vesicoureteral reflux. Of the 95 patients with normal renal-bladder ultrasound 14 (15%) had recurrent pyelonephritis and 7 (7%) went on to surgical intervention. Despite normal renal-bladder ultrasound after a first pyelonephritis episode, a child may still have vesicoureteral reflux, recurrent pyelonephritis and the need for surgical intervention. If voiding cystourethrogram is deferred, parents should be counseled on these risks.

Totally Implantable Venous Access Device in Children with Cancer Lead to Disfiguring scar

Background In pediatric cancer patients scars of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAD) are often widened and hypertrophic. This study report on the prevalence and deviation of abnormal scarring in children with a TIVAD and to describe the influencing factors for this abnormal scarring. Methods In a cross-sectional study scars of 122 childhood cancer patients (age 1–21 years) were evaluated; 72 patients had a TIVAD in-situ and in 50 the TIVAD had been removed. Outcome parameters were hypertrophy (modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS), scar surface area, pain, and itching. Scar abnormality was defined as mVSS of >2, or scar width >3mm. Results Abnormal TIVAD scars were found in 107 participants. The mVSS score was higher in patients ≤45 months after removal and the widest >45 months after TIVAD removal. Multivariable analyses showed that the mVSS score was positively related with scar width (mm) and children being ≤45 months after TIVAD removal. Furthermore, TIVAD scar width was positively related with age at last TIVAD surgery, and associated with suture material. In conclusion, there was a high incidence of abnormal TIVAD scars with some pain and itching complaints. However, no typical cancer related influencing factors were associated with increasing abnormalities.

Risk factors for renal scarring in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux disease

To determine the incidence of renal scarring among patients with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and the possible risk factor(s), we studied 90 children (60 girls and 30 boys) with VUR followed in the Pediatric Nephrology Unit at the Ege University Hospital from 1998 to 2003. All the patients were assessed for VUR grade by voiding cystoureterography and for presence of renal scarring by (99 m) technetium dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy. All infants with VUR were given low-dose prophylactic antibiotics and followed-up until resolution of the reflux. Grade of reflux and number of urinary tract infection (UTI) episodes (≥3) were found to be statistically significant risk factors for renal scarring (P <0.05). However, gender, familial history and laterality of the disease were not found to be statistically significant risk factors (P >0.05). Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference of frequency of renal scarring among the different age groups (P >0.05). We conclude that recurrences of UTI and VUR severity are significant risk factors for renal scarring in children with VUR. Therefore, identification of VUR at an early age may offer the opportunity to prevent episodes of UTI and possible formation of renal scars that may result in end-stage renal failure.

Risk factors for renal scarring in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux disease

Risk factors for renal scarring in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux disease

Parent and Patient Perceptions of Robotic vs Open Urological Surgery Scars in Children

Cumulative evidence shows that robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is safe and at least as efficacious as open surgery for several pediatric urological procedures. Scars resulting from robotic surgery are often assumed to have a cosmetic advantage. However, no study has clearly demonstrated that parents and patients consistently prefer such scars. We developed 3 distinct surveys consisting of photographs and diagrams of scars resulting from open and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery for ureteral reimplantation, pyeloplasty and bladder augmentation. Surveys were distributed to parents of patients being evaluated for 1 of the 3 procedures. The surveys evaluated information such as scar preference, reason for preference and demographics. Patients older than 7 years also completed surveys. Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgical scars were preferred by parents for all procedures studied (85% for ureteral reimplant, 63% for pyeloplasty and 93% for bladder augmentation). Patients also preferred the robotic scars (76%, 62% and 91%, respectively). Patients and parents did not differ significantly in scar preference or in rating of factors affecting decision. Scar size was important or very important to 80% of parents for reimplant, 83% for pyeloplasty and 86% for bladder augmentation. However, the majority of parents would ultimately base their choice of surgical approach on clinical efficacy rather than scar preference. Parents and patients prefer robot-assisted laparoscopic surgical scars to open surgical scars for pediatric ureteral reimplantation, pyeloplasty and bladder augmentation. Scar appearance is an important influence on the decisions of parents and patients, and should be discussed when surgical treatment is presented.

Is Urinary Kidney Injury Molecule-1 a Noninvasive Marker for Renal Scarring in Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux?

To examine whether (1) levels of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), a transmembrane protein and biomarker for renal tubular damage, increase in children with of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and (2) if KIM-1 predicts the grade of renal scarring in children with VUR. The study included 59 VUR patients with renal scarring, 5 VUR patients without renal scarring and 25 healthy controls aged 1 to 17 years. Dimercaptosuccinic acid scans were performed for determination of scarring and graded by 3 independent, blinded pediatric urologists for renal scarring according to the Randomized Intervention for Children with VUR study criteria. Spot urine samples were obtained. Urinary KIM-1 and creatinine levels were measured and the KIM-1/creatinine ratio was calculated. Urine geometric mean KIM-1 levels (ng/mg creatinine) were significantly higher in VUR patients than in healthy controls (P=.018). Although the correlation between VUR grade and geometric mean KIM-1 levels was not significant, a positive correlation was found for scarring grade and geometric mean KIM-1 levels (r=.30, P=.02). When the patients were divided by subgroups according to scarring grade (group I, grade 1; group II, grades 2 and 3; group III, grade 4), the log KIM-1 in group III was significantly higher than in group I (P=.004). Urinary KIM-1 levels might be used as a noninvasive marker, particularly in showing severe scarring in children with VUR.

The effect of vitamin E or vitamin A on the prevention of renal scarring in children with acute pyelonephritis

Numerous factors may contribute to renal tissue injury after urinary tract infection. We have evaluated the effects of vitamins A or E supplementation in combination with antibiotics for the prevention of renal scarring in acute pyelonephritis. A simple non-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 61 children aged 1 month to 10 years between 2004 and 2006. The inclusion criteria were positive urine culture, clinical findings, and 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy-based evidence in favor of acute pyelonephritis. The children were randomized into three treatment groups: 10-day treatment with only antibiotics (control group; n = 25) and 10-day treatment with supplements of vitamin A (n = 17) or vitamin E (n = 18) in addition to antibiotics during the acute phase of infection. The final analysis was performed after excluding male patients. Each patient was evaluated twice by 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy performed at least 6 months apart. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The analysis included 108 kidney units. The frequency of inflammation at the beginning of therapy was not significantly different in the three groups (63.3 % in vitamin A, 61 % in vitamin E, and 76.2 % in the control group). A worsening of lesions, based on the second 99mTc-DMSA scan, was observed in 42.5, 0, and 23.3 % of the control, vitamin E, and vitamin A patients, respectively (LR = 26.3, P < 0.001). Vitamins A or E supplements were effective in reducing renal scarring secondary to acute pyelonephritis.

Randomized trial of oral versus sequential intravenous/oral antibiotic for acute pyelonephritis in children

ObjectiveTo confirm whether oral antibiotic treatment is as efficacious as sequential intravenous/oral antibiotic treatment in the prevention of renal scarring in children with acute pyelonephritis and scintigraphy-documented acute lesions.MethodsIn a prospective multicenter trial of non inferiority, children aged 1 to 36 months with their first case of acute pyelonephritis, a serum procalcitonin concentration ≥ 0.5 ng/mL, no known uropathy, and a normal ultrasound exam were randomized into two treatment groups. They received either oral cefixime for 10 days or intravenous ceftriaxone for 4 days followed by oral cefixime for 6 days. Patients with acute renal lesions detected on early dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy underwent a follow-up scintigraphy 6 to 8 months later.ResultsThe study included 171 infants and children. There were no significant differences between the two groups in any clinical characteristic. Initial scintigraphy results were abnormal for 119 children. Ninety-six children were measured for renal scarring at the follow-up scintigraphy (per protocol analysis population). The incidence of renal scarring was 30.8% in the oral treatment group and 27.3% for children who received the sequential treatment.ConclusionsAlthough this trial does not statistically demonstrate the non-inferiority of oral treatment compared with the sequential treatment, our study confirmed the results of previously published reports and therefore supports the use of an oral antibiotic treatment of primary episodes of acute pyelonephritis in infants and young children.

Identifying Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux: A Comparison of 2 Approaches

Various screening approaches have been proposed to identify the subgroup of children with urinary tract infection who have vesicoureteral reflux. However, few studies have compared the sensitivity of screening approaches in a representative population of young children. We compared the sensitivities of the top-down ((99m)technetium dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan to screen) and biomarker based (C-reactive protein level at presentation) approaches in identifying children with vesicoureteral reflux. We calculated the sensitivity of the 2 screening approaches in detecting vesicoureteral reflux and subsequently high grade (III or greater) vesicoureteral reflux in children. The top-down and C-reactive protein based approaches missed 33% and 29% of cases of high grade vesicoureteral reflux, respectively. The sensitivity of the top-down approach for detecting high grade vesicoureteral reflux was lower than previously reported. Further study of novel methods to identify children at risk for renal scarring is warranted.

Tuberculin skin test and BCG scar in children vaccinated at birth: a study from Iran

investigations and pre-clinical and clinical safety studies, may help to make informed decisions in clinical practice. Methods: Pre-clinical toxicology and clinical safety assessments, both within the context of controlled clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance, are conducted for all licensed vaccines. In addition pre-clinical adjuvant MoA studies provide additional information regarding the safety profile of novel adjuvanted vaccines. Our discussion will focus on the added support that MoA studies bring to the safety evaluation of adjuvanted vaccines. As an example of MoA and safety data wewill use the results of studies with the AS04-adjuvanted L1/16&18 HPV vaccine. Results: The preclinical toxicology package of the AS04adjuvanted L1/16&18 HPV vaccine has not shown treatmentrelated toxicologyfindings other than local injection site inflammation. MoA data showed that AS04 induced a transient and localised activation of innate cells at the injection site and in the local draining lymph nodes, with no systemic impact or direct effect on T cells and B-cellls. Clinical safety evaluation and follow-up in a trial setting have shown no clinically relevant differences compared with control groups other than reactogenicity, mostly at local level, consistent with findings from preclinical data and MoA studies. Finally, with more than 25 million doses distributed worldwide, post-licensure safety evaluations have shown adverse events consistent with what has been observed in the clinical development program, with most commonly reported events being local site reactions of short duration (2-3 days). Conclusion:Regulatory authorities require rigorouspre-clinical and clinical safety data to determine the benefit/risk profile of new vaccines. Post-licensure, a continuous pharmacovigilance system is in place to further assess vaccine safety. Research studying the mechanism of action of an adjuvanted vaccine can help to further investigate the vaccine’s safety profile.

Urine endothelin-1 levels as a predictor of renal scarring in children with urinary tract infections

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) contributes to renal fibrogenesis in several manners such as increasing collagen synthesis in mesangium, decreasing extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by mesangial cells and stimulating mesangial contraction. The aim of our study was to investigate whether urine level of ET-1 (uET-1) could represent a useful biomarker of renal scarring and if so, to determine the optimal cutoff level for uET-1 to predict a renal scar. 44 children with renal scarring and 32 children without renal scarring were enrolled in the study. Urine ET-1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mean uET-1 level was significantly higher in the scar group than in controls (2.75 ± 1.35 fmol/ml vs. 0.68 ± 0.41 fmol/ml, p = 0.001). The optimal cut-off level was 1.064 fmol/ml for uET-1 to predict renal scarring. Using this cut-off point, sensitivity and specificity were 97.73% and 93.91%, respectively. AUC was found 0.975 (95% CI 0.917 - 0.996) for uET-1. Mean urine Endothelin-1/Creatinine ratio (uET-1/Cr) was also significantly higher in the scar group than in the control group (4.04 ± 2.29 fmol/mg Cr vs. 1.09 ± 0.67 fmol/mg Cr, p = 0.0001). Using 1.67 fmol/mgCr as optimal cut-off level, sensitivity and specificity were 95.45% and 84.09%, respectively. AUC was 0.945 (95% CI 0.875 - 0.982) for uET-1/Cr. Our study suggests that both uET-1 and uET-1/Cr can be used for prediction of renal scarring in children with normal renal function. Measuring urine level of ET-1 can help us to avoid unnecessary DMSA studies if the patient's uET-1 level is found to be under the determined cut-off point.

Risk factors of renal scars in children with acute pyelonephritis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the association between previously documented risk factors such as recurrent pyelonephritis with the incidence of renal scarring after acute pyelonephritis in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children with acute pyelonephritis who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of a teaching hospital during 2007-2009 were enrolled in this study. DMSA scans were obtained 4-6 months after the last episode of pyelonephritis in all patients. RESULTS: A total of 80 children with acute pyelonephritis were enrolled in this study. Most of them were girls (77.5%), with a median age of 12 months. Nearly half of the children (n = 44; 55%) had one or more renal scars. The distribution of gender, CRP level and leukocytosis did not differ significantly regardingthe absence or presence of renal scars (p > 0.05). Most of the scars occurred in children who had presented with bilateral pyelonephritis (69.4% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.001). Most of the patients with renal scars had a positive history of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) (75% vs.13.6%, p = 0.001). The significant roles of recurrent pyelonephritis and presence of VUR were further confirmed by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, presence of VUR and recurrent pyelonephritis are independently associated with a higher incidence of renal scarring.

Randomized Trial of Oral Versus Sequential IV/Oral Antibiotic for Acute Pyelonephritis in Children

To confirm whether oral antibiotic treatment is as efficacious as sequential intravenous/oral antibiotic treatment in the prevention of renal scarring in children with acute pyelonephritis and scintigraphy-documented acute lesions. In a prospective multicenter trial, children aged 1 to 36 months with their first case of acute pyelonephritis, a serum procalcitonin concentration ≥0.5 ng/mL, no known uropathy, and a normal ultrasound exam were randomized into 2 treatment groups. They received either oral cefixime for 10 days or intravenous ceftriaxone for 4 days followed by oral cefixime for 6 days. Patients with acute renal lesions detected on early dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy underwent a follow-up scintigraphy 6 to 8 months later. The study included 171 infants and children. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in any clinical characteristic. Initial scintigraphy results were abnormal for 119 children. Ninety-six children were measured for renal scarring at the follow-up scintigraphy (per protocol analysis population). The incidence of renal scarring was 30.8% in the oral treatment group and 27.3% for children who received the sequential treatment. Although this trial does not statistically demonstrate the noninferiority of oral treatment compared with the sequential treatment, our study confirmed the results of previously published reports and therefore supports the use of an oral antibiotic treatment of primary episodes of acute pyelonephritis in infants and young children.

Risk Factors for Renal Scar Formation in Infants With First Episode of Acute Pyelonephritis: A Prospective Clinical Study

We prospectively determined the risk factors for renal scar formation after the first episode of acute pyelonephritis as confirmed on dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy in children younger than 1 year. A total of 213 infants with acute pyelonephritis were enrolled in the study. Infants with urological abnormalities other than vesicoureteral reflux were excluded from analysis. Followup scanning was performed 6 months after acute pyelonephritis and voiding cystourethrography was performed after the acute phase of infection. Possible risk factors were evaluated including gender, peak fever, duration of fever before and after treatment with antibiotics, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein concentration, presence of vesicoureteral reflux and reflux grade. Six months after acute pyelonephritis 37 of 213 (17.4%) infants and 41 of 248 (16.5%) renal units with acute photon defects on initial dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy had renal scars. The rates of scar formation were significantly higher in infants with vesicoureteral reflux than in those without (39.4% vs 7.5%, p <0.001, OR 9.433) and in renal units with vesicoureteral reflux than in those without (39.4% vs 8.2%, p <0.001, OR 7.237). Renal scar formation was related to reflux grade (none-8.2%, grade I-20%, grade II-22.7%, grade III-40%, grade IV-70%, grade V-55.6%, p <0.001) but not to any other clinical or laboratory variables. The presence of vesicoureteral reflux was the only independent risk factor for renal scar formation after acute pyelonephritis in infants. The prevalence of renal scarring was significantly correlated with reflux grade. Voiding cystourethrography is necessary in infants after the first acute pyelonephritis episode is confirmed on dimercapto-succinic acid renal scintigraphy.

Urinary Proteome Analysis at 5-Year Followup of Patients With Nonoperated Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Suggests Ongoing Kidney Remodeling

Severe ureteropelvic junction obstruction is treated surgically. However, for milder cases most clinical teams adopt a watchful waiting approach and only operate in the presence of significant decline of renal function combined with severe hydronephrosis. Little is known about the long-term consequences of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Using capillary electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry, we analyzed the urinary proteome of 42 patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction 5 years postoperatively or 5 years following spontaneous resolution. At 5-year followup urinary proteomes were similar between patients with early surgical correction of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and age matched controls. In contrast, urinary proteomes differed significantly between conservatively followed patients and controls. Analyses of the proteomic differences suggested ongoing renal or ureteral remodeling in the conservatively followed patients that was not visible clinically. Long-term followup studies are warranted in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction, especially those followed conservatively, to determine whether the observed changes in the urinary proteomes become clinically relevant at a later stage.

Risk factors of renal scars in children with acute pyelonephritis

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the association between previously documented risk factors such as recurrent pyelonephritis with the incidence of renal scarring after acute pyelonephritis in children. Material and methodsChildren with acute pyelonephritis who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of a teaching hospital during 2007–2009 were enrolled in this study. DMSA scans were obtained 4–6 months after the last episode of pyelonephritis in all patients. ResultsA total of 80 children with acute pyelonephritis were enrolled in this study. Most of them were girls (77.5%), with a median age of 12 months. Nearly half of the children (n=44; 55%) had one or more renal scars. The distribution of gender, CRP level and leukocytosis did not differ significantly regardingthe absence or presence of renal scars (p>0.05). Most of the scars occurred in children who had presented with bilateral pyelonephritis (69.4% vs. 18.2%, p=0.001). Most of the patients with renal scars had a positive history of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) (75% vs.13.6%, p=0.001). The significant roles of recurrent pyelonephritis and presence of VUR were further confirmed by multivariate analysis. ConclusionsAccording to our findings, presence of VUR and recurrent pyelonephritis are independently associated with a higher incidence of renal scarring.