Clinical Characteristics, Pathological Features and Treatment Outcomes of Children With Nephrotic Syndrome at Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana.

Despite the remarkable progress made in the understanding and treatment of childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS), a lot is still unknown about its epidemiology in many African countries. This study sought to determine the clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes of children with NS at the largest tertiary hospital in Botswana. A retrospective study of 26 children with NS treated from 2009 to 2014 was conducted.

The podocin V260E mutation predicts steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in black South African children with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

In black African children with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) there are high rates of steroid resistance. The aim was to determine genetic associations with apolipoprotein L1 () renal risk variants and podocin () variants in 30 unrelated black South African children with FSGS. Three variants were genotyped and the exons of the gene sequenced in the cases and controls.

Favourable outcomes for the first 10 years of kidney and pancreas transplantation at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Background: It is important for centres participating in transplantation in South Africa (SA) to audit their outcomes. Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC), Johannesburg, SA, opened a transplant unit in 2004. The first 10 years of kidney and pancreas transplantation were reviewed to determine outcomes in respect of recipient and graft survival.

Combined paediatric liver-kidney transplantation: analysis of our experience and literature review.

Background: Renal insufficiency is increasingly common in end-stage liver disease and allocation of livers to this category of patient has escalated. The frequency of combined liver-kidney transplantation (CLKT) has consequently increased. Indications for CLKT in children differ from those for adults and typically include rare congenital conditions; subsequently limited numbers of this procedure have been performed in paediatric patients worldwide.

Rituximab in refractory nephrotic syndrome.

The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy and safety of rituximab in refractory nephrotic syndrome (NS). Members of the International Paediatric Nephrology Association were asked to retrospectively fill in a questionnaire with details on the use of rituximab in their centres. We divided the data into three groups: group 1, patients with steroid-dependent and frequently relapsing NS; group 2, with steroid-resistant NS; group 3, with post-transplant recurrence of NS.