Circulating Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 level independently predicts incident cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis black Africans patients.

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The aim of the present study was to determine whether Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) could be an independent predictor of CV events and all-cause mortality in black African haemodialysis patients.

Methods: We carried out a prospective cohort study of all consecutive hemodialysis (HD) patients between August 2016 and July 2020, admitted in six hemodialysis centers of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Clinical and genetic factors are associated with kidney complications in African children with sickle cell anaemia.

Clinical and genetic factors have been reported as influencing the development of sickle cell nephropathy (SCN). However, such data remain limited in the paediatric population. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 361 sickle cell disease children from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Circulating Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Levels Predict Future Cardiovascular Event Risks in Hemodialyzed Black African Patients.

Context And Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in patients. In this context, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) appears to be the new biomarker identified as interfering in lipid homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the association between PCSK9, dyslipidemia, and future risk of cardiovascular events in a population of black Africans.

Acute Crises and Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia Among Patients Attending a Pediatric Tertiary Unit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the incidence of sickle cell anemia (SCA) is estimated to affect 30,000 to 40,000 neonates per year. However, there is paucity of data on acute clinical manifestations in sickle cell children. In these circumstances, it is difficult to develop a health care policy for an adequate management of sickle cell patients.

Glomerular hyperfiltration is strongly correlated with age in Congolese children with sickle cell anaemia.

Aim: Glomerular hyperfiltration is an early marker of sickle cell nephropathy and can lead to microalbuminuria and renal failure. Our aim was to identify the associated risk factors, as these could be of preventative importance.

Methods: We recruited 150 children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA), aged two to 18 years and living in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Congolese children with sickle cell trait may exhibit glomerular hyperfiltration: A case control study.

Background: The prevalence of sickle cell trait is extremely high in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent studies have reported the impact of sickle cell carriers on renal function. However, data on renal abnormalities in children with sickle cell trait in this part of the world are unknown.

Inequalities in access to pediatric ESRD care: a global health challenge.

The increasing attention paid to chronic kidney disease (CKD) as a major cause of mortality and disability, as well as the advances in management of CKD in children, have created a growing demand for pediatric renal replacement therapy (RRT) worldwide. A study by Koch Nogueira and colleagues of children on the transplant waiting list showed large disparities in access to pediatric kidney transplantation between regions in Brazil. This finding raises a wider question about inequalities in access to CKD care in children.

Nephrotic Syndrome in a Child Suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot: A Rare Association.

Nephrotic syndrome is an uncommon complication of tetralogy of Fallot and has been rarely reported in pediatric population. We describe a 4-year-old female Congolese child who was referred for investigation for persistent dyspnea, edema, and cyanosis and nephrotic range proteinuria. Our patient presented with a tetralogy of Fallot and nephrotic syndrome.

High rate of sickle cell anaemia in Sub-Saharan Africa underlines the need to screen all children with severe anaemia for the disease.

Aim: Neonatal screening for sickle cell anaemia is not common practice in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and we determined the prevalence in children with unknown electrophoresis of haemoglobin and anaemia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four hospitals in the country's capital Kinshasa.

Results: We screened 807 patients with anaemia (Hb < 6 g/dL) for sickle cell disease.

Pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphomas: first report from Central Africa.

Background: Information on presentation and outcome of pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is limited from Africa. The demographic characteristics, distribution of different subtypes were noted and compared with published reports from other parts of the world.

Methods: The study was conducted in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo between January 2002 and December 2012.

The challenges of caring for children with nephrotic syndrome in a tertiary institution in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Aim: The care of children with resistant nephrotic syndrome (NS) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is compromised by resource deficiencies that range from inadequate healthcare budgets, to scarce laboratory facilities and inconsistent drug supplies. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical profile and management of children with nephrotic syndrome in Kinshasa, the country's capital and its largest city.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 62 patients with a diagnosis of NS, who were seen in the Paediatric Nephrology Unit at the University Hospital of Kinshasa between January 1983 and January 2008.

Malaria, clinical features and acute crisis in children suffering from sickle cell disease in resource-limited settings: a retrospective description of 90 cases.

Background: The prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) is extremely high in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite the high prevalence of this disease in our midst, there has been no report on the clinical features in the sickle cell pediatric population suffering from malaria in our midst.

Methods: A retrospective survey of records from the Department of Paediatrics of the University Hospital of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, was done for the period 1998–2008.

[Acute renal failure and severe malaria in Congolese children living in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo].

Background: Data on acute renal failure in complicated malaria in children in the Democratic Republic of Congo are sparse. The objective of this study was to document the profile of acute renal failure in severe malaria in admitted patients in pediatric hospitals from Kinshasa.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2008 to December 2008 in children admitted in emergency units of five hospitals in Kinshasa for severe malaria.

[Prevalence of proteinuria and its association with HIV/AIDS in Congolese children living in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo].

Context: In Sub-Saharian Africa, the extent of the HIV-related kidney diseases is less known. Even so, that region is supposed to be the epicentre of such complications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of proteinuria in Congolese children living in Kinshasa and to study its association with the HIV infection.