Experiences with HUS in Canada: what have we learned about childhood HUS in Canada?

Experiences with childhood hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in Canada will focus on the development of the Canadian Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Centre (CPKDRC) and the results of our collaborative research over a 13-year period (1985-1998).

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome is an immune-mediated disease: role of anti-CD36 antibodies.

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a disorder in which platelet microthrombi are formed that have a particular propensity to deposit in the kidney microvasculature, resulting in impaired renal function and thrombocytopenia. The mechanism of formation of these microthrombi is not known. In this study, we showed that plasma from five adult and six paediatric cases of HUS caused aggregation and release of adenosine triphosphate from normal platelets.

Changing trends in the referral patterns of pediatric nephrology patients.

This study investigates the changing referral patterns of young patients to a tertiary pediatric nephrology center with a well-defined catchment area over two consecutive 8.5-year periods. We paid special attention to the known increase of obesity and diabetes mellitus in childhood.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of prednisone in early Henoch Schönlein Purpura [ISRCTN85109383].

Background: Henoch Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis of childhood. There is considerable controversy over whether children with HSP should be treated with corticosteroids. The goal of this study was to investigate whether early corticosteroid administration could reduce the rate of renal or gastrointestinal complications in children with HSP.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome: Events of the past decade.

This article describes the birth of the Canadian Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Centre (CPKDRC) in 1985 and the activities that have transpired as a result of collaborative research at paediatric centres across Canada. These include the National Retrospective Study of Childhood Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), National Prospective Study of Risk Factors for Developing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infection, and Intervention Studies for the Prevention of HUS. A look to the future describes possible studies to determine potential factors (surrogate markers) to identify children who are at risk for developing HUS following verotoxin-producing E coli gastroenteritis, other intervention studies and a more accurate understanding of permanent renal insufficiency in children who have had HUS.