A focus on the association of Apol1 with kidney disease in children.

Individuals of African origin have an increased risk of developing various progressive chronic kidney diseases (CKD). This risk has been attributed to genetic variants (G1, G2) in apolipoprotein-L1 (APOL1) gene. In the pediatric population, especially in children affected by sickle cell disease (SCD), by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or with various glomerular diseases, APOL1 risk variants have been associated with the development of hypertension, albuminuria, and more rapid decline of kidney function.

A promising pediatric peritoneal dialysis experience in a resource-limited setting with the support of saving young lives program.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), acute kidney injury (AKI) contributes to the high rate of child mortality owing to the conjunction of poverty, deficiency of qualified health-care providers in pediatric nephrology, and the lack of pediatric dialysis programs. We aimed to describe the recent experience of the first pediatric acute peritoneal dialysis (PD) program in DRC. This is a retrospective cohort study on epidemiology, clinical features and outcomes of children admitted from January 2018 to January 2019 at the University Hospital of Kinshasa for AKI and treated with PD.

The clinical characteristics of Congolese children and adolescents suffering from sickle-cell anemia are marked by the high frequencies of epistaxis compared to Western series.

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is the most common genetic diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is estimated 30,000 to 40,000 neonates with SCA are born annually. Despite this high incidence rate, and the severity of the Bantu haplotype found in Congolese patients, major clinical characteristics remain poorly defined.

Magnitude of elevated iron stores and risk associated in steady state sickle cell anemia Congolese children: a cross sectional study.

Background: The serum ferritin assay is recommended in Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) patients receiving regular transfusions. According to several authors, elevated iron stores indicating iron chelation corresponds to hyperferritinemia ≥500 ng/ml, and becomes detectable after twenty blood transfusions. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of elevated iron stores and identify associated risk factors in a case series of Steady state SCA Congolese children.

Prevalence and determinants of microalbuminuria in children suffering from sickle cell anemia in steady state.

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is considered a major risk factor for renal complications. The main goal of this study was to determine the frequency of macroalbuminuria and microalbuminuria in Congolese children <18 years of age suffering from Sickle cell anemia and to identify associated factors.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was completed in 150 hemoglobin-SS children (77 boys and 73 girls).

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.

Factors Associated with Growth Retardation in Children Suffering from Sickle Cell Anemia: First Report from Central Africa.

. The aim of this study was to investigate and determine the risk factors associated with poor growth among SCA children. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa, the capital's country.

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.

Albuminuria, serum antioxidant enzyme levels and markers of hemolysis and inflammation in steady state children with sickle cell anemia.

Background: Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of microalbuminuria in Sickle cell anemia (SCA). Antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) may play an important protective role. This study aimed to evaluate the association between albuminuria and these two antioxidant enzymes.

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.

Cherubism in sub-saharan Africa: a first case-report in a child.

Cherubism is rare disease and has been rarely reported in African pediatric population. We report here the case of a 10-year-old child who was referred to our hospital for bilateral jaws swelling. Physical examination revealed bilateral swelling symmetry of the face.

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.

Depression in children suffering from sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia is a chronic illness associated with important nonmedical complications. The prevalence of depression and its clinical profile among Congolese children suffering from sickle cell disease are unknown. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional study in children between 8 and 17 years.

Renal function in children suffering from sickle cell disease: challenge of early detection in highly resource-scarce settings.

Background: The prevalence of Sickle cell disease is extremely high in Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite this high prevalence of the disease, data on renal abnormalities in children are rare.

Method: The study proposed to assess blood pressure, glomerular function, urea and uric acid levels in 65 steady state Congolese children with homozygous sickle cell disease and 67 normal controls.

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.

A rare occurrence of hairy cell leukemia in a congolese child: a presentation and challenge of diagnosis in low resource settings.

Background: Hairy cell leukemia is a rare form of leukemia and has been rarely reported in African and pediatric population.

Observation: We are reporting a 4-year-old child who was received for investigation for persistent anemia, prolonged fever, and thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow aspiration showed hypercellular marrow with cells characterized by irregular windblown-appearing cell borders with pseudopod-like projections.