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Recent years has seen an increasing interest in the quality of life (QOL) of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of behavioral disorders and to assess the health-related QOL (HRQOL) in 136 patients with CKD. To estimate the prevalence of behavior disorders and analyze HRQOL, we used the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Pediatric Inventory of Quality of Life (PedsQL) Core Scales as assessment tools for both the patients and caregivers. When compared to healthy controls, the CKD group had significantly lower scores in almost all PedsQL domains. After adjustment, only absence of religion/other religions remained significantly associated with a lower global HRQOL score [odds ratio (OR) 6.2, P=0.009]. Among the parents, two factors remained significantly associated with a lower global HRQOL score: patients' age >10 years (OR 5.4, P =0.033) and absence of religion/ other religions (OR 3.2, P=0.038). The CKD group demonstrated a higher proportion of behavioral and emotional disorders in all SDQ domains. There was a negative correlation between the presence of behavior and emotional disorders and HRQOL score (r=-0.552, P Keywords Chronic renal disease * Quality of life * Emotional disorders * Dialysis * Renal transplant, Introduction Advances in biomedical science and technology have resulted in dramatic improvements in the healthcare of chronic pediatric conditions [1, 2]. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects virtually every organ system [...]

Byline: Eli Armando S. Rabelo (1), Eduardo A. Oliveira (1,4), Jose Silverio S. Diniz (1), Jose Maria P. Silva (1), Maria Tereza Freire Filgueiras (2), Isabela Leite Pezzuti (1), Edson Samesina Tatsuo (3) Keywords: Multicystic kidney; Prenatal diagnosis; Management; Ultrasonography; Hypertension Abstract: We report the long-term clinical results of conservative management of children with unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidneys (MCDK). Between 1989 and 2002, 43 children with MCDK detected by prenatal ultrasonography were prospectively followed. At birth, ultrasonography confirmed the prenatal findings in all cases. Patients underwent a radioisotope scan and micturating cystogram in order to confirm the diagnosis and to exclude other uropathies. Follow-up ultrasound (US) examinations were performed at 6-month intervals during the first 2 years of life and yearly thereafter. The mean follow-up time was 42 months (range 12--156 months). Two children developed hypertension during follow-up. In total 257 US scans were performed. The mean number of US scans per patient was 6 (range 3--10). US scans demonstrated partial involution of the MCDK in 30 (70%) cases and complete involution in 8 (19%). The absolute MCDK length remained almost unchanged in 5 children (11%). The estimated median time of complete involution of the MCDK was 122 months [95% confidence interval (CI)=86--158 months]. A total of 33 (76.7%) contralateral kidneys underwent compensatory hypertrophy, reaching a renal length above the 95th percentile during follow-up. The estimated median time for the occurrence of compensatory hypertrophy was 30 months (95% CI=15--45 months). In conclusion, the natural history of MCDK is usually benign but patients must have long-term follow-up with US scans and blood pressure measurements. Author Affiliation: (1) Pediatric Nephrourology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (2) Radiology Unit, Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (3) Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (4) Rua Patagonia 515/701, Belo Horizonte, 30.320.080, Minas Gerais, Brazil Article History: Registration Date: 19/05/2004 Received Date: 25/11/2003 Accepted Date: 05/05/2004 Online Date: 16/07/2004