Search

Background Infants with a solitary functioning kidney (SFK) are at risk for chronic kidney injury (CKI). Lack of compensatory kidney growth (CKG) is associated with CKI, but measuring CKG is challenging since it is typically reported relative to normal kidneys. This study aims to (1) standardize SFK growth in infants, (2) investigate the relationship between standardized kidney length and clinical outcomes, and (3) use these results to develop a risk-based prediction model and local clinical pathway for SFK care. Methods This was a quality improvement study of 166 infants with an SFK. Linear regression was used to assess kidney growth from 0 to 180 days of life. Univariate binary regression analysis was used to identify kidney length to body length thresholds associated with the development of CKI, defined as the composite outcome of chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m.sup.2), hypertension, or proteinuria. Results Kidneys grew in length from 0 to 180 days, and growth was constant when standardized to body length. Over follow-up, infants with a baseline kidney length to body length [less than or equal to] 0.088 were more likely to experience CKI than the rest of the cohort (27 vs. 8%, p = 0.04). Kidney length to body length [less than or equal to] 0.088 was also significantly associated with CKI development (OR 4.17, 95% CI 1.14-15.28, p = 0.04). Conclusions In this study, kidney length to body length ratio was a stable CKG metric over 0-180 days, and a baseline ratio [less than or equal to] 0.088 was a risk factor for CKI. Results will aid in developing a practical, point-of-care risk assessment tool, and overarching risk-stratified clinical pathway for infants with an SFK. Graphical abstract A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information, Author(s): Douglas G. Matsell [sup.1] , Carol Bao [sup.1] , Teagan Po White [sup.1] , Ella Chan [sup.1] , Eli Matsell [sup.1] , Dan Cojocaru [sup.1] , Lydia Bajno [sup.2] [...]

Background Multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) disease and unilateral renal agenesis (URA) are well-known causes of a solitary functioning kidney (SFK) and are associated with long-term kidney injury. The aims of this study were to characterize the natural history of SFK at our center, define the risk factors associated with chronic kidney injury, and identify distinguishing features between URA and MCDK that predict outcome. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 230 SFK patients. We compared MCDK (n=160) and URA (n=70) according to clinical features at diagnosis and kidney outcomes over follow-up. Univariate and multivariate binary regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for chronic kidney injury, defined as the composite outcome of hypertension, proteinuria, or chronic kidney disease (eGFR Results URA had a higher prevalence of comorbid genetic syndromes (15 vs. 6%, p=0.04), non-renal anomalies (39 vs. 11%, p Conclusions In our population, URA was more likely to have associated syndromes or anomalies, and to have worse outcomes over time than MCDK. URA diagnosis was an independent risk factor for chronic kidney injury. Our results will be used to develop a standardized clinical pathway for SFK management. Graphical abstract, Author(s): Douglas G. Matsell [sup.1] , Carol Bao [sup.1] , Teagan Po White [sup.1] , Ella Chan [sup.1] , Eli Matsell [sup.1] , Dan Cojocaru [sup.1] , Marisa Catapang [sup.1] [...]

Background Small kidneys due to renal hypodysplasia (RHD) result from a decrease in nephron number. The objectives of this study were to identify clinical variables that determine long-term renal outcome in children with RHD and to define the role of kidney size as a predictor of developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods This was a single-center retrospective cohort analysis. The primary outcome was development of ESRD. We identified 202 RHD cases, with 25 (12 %) reaching ESRD at mean age of 8.9 (±6.6) years. Results Children with RHD with a known genetic syndrome had the smallest kidneys while those with posterior urethral valves (PUV) had the largest kidneys at diagnosis. Cases with bilateral RHD were most likely to develop ESRD. Younger gestational age (OR 0.8, CI 0.69-0.99, p = 0.05), smaller kidney size at diagnosis (OR 0.13, CI 0.03-0.47, p = 0.002), lower best-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (OR 0.74, CI 0.58-0.93, p = 0.01), proteinuria (OR 1.03, CI 1.01-1.05, p < 0.001) and high blood pressure (OR 1.02, CI 1.01-1.04, p = 0.01) were associated with development of ESRD, while kidney size at diagnosis was independently associated with ESRD (HR 0.03, CI 0.01-0.72, p = 0.043). Conclusions In children with RHD, kidney size at diagnosis predicts the likelihood of developing ESRD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00467-015-3079-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users., Author(s): Douglas G. Matsell[sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] [sup.4] , Dan Cojocaru[sup.1] , Eli W. Matsell[sup.1] , Allison A. Eddy[sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Pediatrics, British Columbia Children's [...]

Meniscus injuries are the most common traumatic conditions of the knee. If until the early 2000s, menisci were considered structures of no major importance in the knee joint, subsequent studies have shown their importance in the biomechanics of the knee. Their role is not only for the natural suspension of the joint, but also for the protection of the cartilage or the achievement of the efficient and uniform circulation of the synovial fluid. Therefore, disruption of this joint balance can lead, in the absence of a well-conducted treatment, to premature knee wear. Most of the time, these meniscal tears are accompanied by associated lessions, ligaments or more severely cartilaginous lessions, creating a real challenge for the physician, specially for young pacients. There are many conservative treatments of the damaged meniscus, imagined precisely in the idea of preserving the menisci as much as possible. However, this is not always possible, especially due to the type of traumatic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since loss of meniscus is correlated with an increasing risk for osteoarthritis, meniscal scaffolds are proposed as new strategies. Development of a suitable scaffold has to take into account differing meniscus thickness, exposure to compressive and tensile forces combined with high porosity and biocompatibility of the material. After physical testing of three flat scaffolds composed of different modified polyglycolic acid (PGA) fibers, a three‐dimensional meniscus‐shaped PGA‐hyaluronan implant was generated. Micro‐computed tomography showed 90% porosity in the outer area with 50% in the inner area of the implant. Biocompatibility and expression of meniscus typical cartilaginous genes were shown for human meniscus cells cultivated in the implant with 10% human serum or 5% platelet‐rich plasma for 14 days in vitro. The proof‐of‐concept study in sheep demonstrated proteoglycan‐ and collagen type I‐rich repair tissue formation in partial meniscectomy combined with a meniscus‐shaped PGA‐hyaluronan implant after 6 months. In contrast, the control showed nearly no repair tissue formation. Thus, meniscus‐shaped PGA‐hyaluronan implants might be a suitable therapeutic approach to support repair tissue formation in partial meniscectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]