1. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in children: complement mutations and clinical characteristics.
- Author
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Geerdink LM, Westra D, van Wijk JA, Dorresteijn EM, Lilien MR, Davin JC, Kömhoff M, Van Hoeck K, van der Vlugt A, van den Heuvel LP, and van de Kar NC
- Subjects
- Age of Onset, Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Autoantibodies blood, Autoantibodies immunology, Autoantigens immunology, Child, Child, Preschool, DNA Mutational Analysis, Female, Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome immunology, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Retrospective Studies, Treatment Outcome, Complement System Proteins genetics, Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome genetics, Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome physiopathology, Mutation
- Abstract
Background: Mutations in complement factor H (CFH), factor I (CFI), factor B (CFB), thrombomodulin (THBD), C3 and membrane cofactor protein (MCP), and autoantibodies against factor H (αFH) with or without a homozygous deletion in CFH-related protein 1 and 3 (∆CFHR1/3) predispose development of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)., Methods: Different mutations in genes encoding complement proteins in 45 pediatric aHUS patients were retrospectively linked with clinical features, treatment, and outcome., Results: In 47% of the study participants, potentially pathogenic genetic anomalies were found (5xCFH, 4xMCP, and 4xC3, 3xCFI, 2xCFB, 6xαFH, of which five had ∆CFHR1/3); four patients carried combined genetic defects or a mutation, together with αFH. In the majority (87%), disease onset was preceeded by a triggering event; in 25% of cases diarrhea was the presenting symptom. More than 50% had normal serum C3 levels at presentation. Relapses were seen in half of the patients, and there was renal graft failure in all except one case following transplant., Conclusions: Performing adequate DNA analysis is essential for treatment and positive outcome in children with aHUS. The impact of intensive initial therapy and renal replacement therapy, as well as the high risk of recurrence of aHUS in renal transplant, warrants further understanding of the pathogenesis, which will lead to better treatment options.
- Published
- 2012
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