Association of procalcitonin with acute pyelonephritis and renal scars in pediatric UTI.

Background And Objective: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common childhood bacterial infections that may involve renal parenchymal infection (acute pyelonephritis [APN]) followed by late scarring. Prompt, high-quality diagnosis of APN and later identification of children with scarring are important for preventing future complications. Examination via dimercaptosuccinic acid scanning is the current clinical gold standard but is not routinely performed.

Prediction of high-grade vesicoureteral reflux after pediatric urinary tract infection: external validation study of procalcitonin-based decision rule.

Background: Predicting vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) ≥3 at the time of the first urinary tract infection (UTI) would make it possible to restrict cystography to high-risk children. We previously derived the following clinical decision rule for that purpose: cystography should be performed in cases with ureteral dilation and a serum procalcitonin level ≥0.17 ng/mL, or without ureteral dilatation when the serum procalcitonin level ≥0.

Procalcitonin is a predictor for high-grade vesicoureteral reflux in children: meta-analysis of individual patient data.

Objective: To assess the predictive value of procalcitonin, a serum inflammatory marker, in the identification of children with first urinary tract infection (UTI) who might have high-grade (≥3) vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

Study Design: We conducted a meta-analysis of individual data, including all series of children aged 1 month to 4 years with a first UTI, a procalcitonin (PCT) level measurement, cystograms, and an early dimercaptosuccinic acid scan.

Results: Of the 152 relevant identified articles, 12 studies representing 526 patients (10% with VUR ≥3) were included.

Long-term effects of cyclophosphamide therapy in steroid-dependent or frequently relapsing idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Background: It has been demonstrated that alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide (CYP) are effective in reducing the risk of relapse in frequently relapsing (FRNS) and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). Little is known about prognostic factors in SDNS and FRNS treated by CYP. The objectives of this study are to determine long-term outcomes and factors associated with sustained remission in these patients.

Chronic kidney disease in children: the National Paediatric Hospital experience in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Aim: The goal of this descriptive study was to evaluate the aetiology and the socioeconomic status in hospitalized children in Hanoi and propose solutions to improve prevention and basic health care of patients with chronic kidney disease in Hanoi City.

Methods: The records of all 152 hospitalized children with chronic kidney disease in the National Paediatric Hospital in Hanoi from January 2001 to December 2005 were analyzed.

Results: The incidence of paediatric chronic kidney disease native to Hanoi City was estimated to be 5.