Overview of a paediatric renal transplant programme.

Introduction: Renal transplantation is the therapy of choice for children with end-stage renal failure. There are many challenges associated with a paediatric programme in a developing country where organs are limited.

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of 149 paediatric renal transplants performed between 1968 and 2006 with specific emphasis on transplants performed in the last 10 years.

Dipstick screening for urinary tract infection.

In screening for urinary tract infection the leucocyte esterase test will detect almost all samples with significant pyuria and bacteriuria, but is relatively nonspecific. The nitrite test is more specific but less sensitive and about one-third of the urinary tract infections in a large group of children were missed. The combination of screening tests results in greater overall accuracy both in the diagnosis and exclusion of urinary tract infection.