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Background: The increase of circulating urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) was demonstrated in various diseases showing its prognostic value as well as the link to the inflammatory reaction. In glomerular diseases, suPAR was considered a causative factor of proteinuria. In the present study we aimed to evaluate serum concentration of suPAR in children with primary and secondary glomerulonephritis (GN) and its association with disease severity., Methods: The study involved 22 children with minimal change disease (MCD), nine with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), seven with Henoch-Schönlein nephritis, seven with lupus nephritis (LN) and 16 controls., Results: Serum suPAR was significantly higher in children with FSGS and LN than controls (4.47±1.39 ng/mL vs. 3.23±0.76 ng/mL; P=0.011 and 6.17±1.12 ng/mL vs. 3.23±0.76 ng/mL, respectively; P<0.0001). Further, suPAR was increased in LN when compared to FSGS (P=0.031). In the total group suPAR showed negative correlation with eGFR, serum complement C3 and positive with left ventricular mass index. In children with MCD and FSGS the inverse association of suPAR with eGFR was also shown., Conclusions: In children with primary and secondary glomerulonephritis suPAR levels are not associated with proteinuria. In primary GN elevated suPAR levels may result from reduced eGFR reflecting renal damage. In LN circulating suPAR can be increased further indicating both multi-organ involvement and systemic inflammation reflecting disease severity.

This paper presents a case of urosepsis caused by Escherichia coli in an 11-year-old girl with a neurogenic bladder. The patient had not previously been supervised by a nephrologist or urologist. On admission, significantly elevated serum markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein 32.4 mg/dl, procalcitonin 64.2 ng/ml), kidney failure (creatinine 6.9 mg/dl, pH 7.22, HCO3 6.3 mmol/l), and increased serum urea (399 mg/dl) were detected. Antibiotic therapy with rehydration was started and improved renal function without dialysis. However, a 9-cm-long perirenal abscess site was diagnosed. It required surgical treatment, which was complicated by an anaphylactic reaction to latex. Colitis caused by Clostridium difficile was also diagnosed. Hospital treatment lasted 38 days. After 4 months the patient's glomerular filtration rate was 66 ml/min/1.73 m² and indicated stage 2 chronic kidney disease. Because early diagnosis of urinary tract infection is crucial for preventing complications in children with neurogenic bladder, they should undergo regular nephro-urological care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims. The aim was to evaluate the level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin 18 (IL-18) and retinol binding protein (RBP) in children with primary hypertension and no features of hypertensive nephropathy. Methods. The study group consisted of 19 children (15 males) aged 14.8 ± 2.18 years with primary hypertension. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) were within the normal range. Mean blood pressure (BP) was 141/79 mmHg (mean systolic BP percentile was 98, mean diastolic BP percentile was 80). Ambulatory BP measurement (ABPM), blood and urine biochemical measurements and features of end organ damage were assessed. The control group consisted of 20 healthy children. Results. Hypertensive children showed significantly increased serum and urine NGAL concentration vs controls. Urine RBP was significantly higher in the study group vs controls. A positive correlation was found between urine NGAL and the index of mean systolic BP measured in ABPM, between urine IL-18 and the index of office diastolic BP, between serum NGAL and ACR, and between urine NGAL concentration and serum HDL. Conclusion. In children with primary hypertension, increased serum and urine NGAL may reflect kidney injury earlier than typical markers of hypertensive nephropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]