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Background Costs of dialysis reported in countries where dialysis is government-funded are often those incurred by the state, and only a few take into account the financial burden to the family of the index patient. This study investigated the financial cost implication to families of pediatric patients on maintenance dialysis and how aid provided by the government alleviates their financial burden. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 24 children on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD), and a structured questionnaire was administered to the parents/caregivers of these patients to obtain information on their family size, total family income, cost of transportation, employment status of attending caregiver, and number of work days missed due to hospital visits. Results Complete data were available for 19 patients (7 on PD and 12 on HD). The mean age was 14 ± 6 years, and there were 11 males and 8 females. The average monthly income of the families recruited was 2,946 ZAR (261 USD). This amount included the contribution of a monthly state-provided social grant of 1,300 ZAR (115 USD) in 16/19 subjects. The average monthly expenditure of the HD and PD groups made up 27.1% and 4.9% of their average income. Conclusion Transport cost for our patients on dialysis significantly impacts on the overall family income, especially for patients on HD, and, without government aid, the families of our patients would have far less money available for their daily needs.

Background: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are a well-documented risk factor for the development of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children. Prevention of UTI in this group of patients is advocated due to their increased risk of renal scarring, hypertension and end stage kidney failure. Methods: A 10-year retrospective review of CAKUT patients at the Johannesburg Academic Hospital, who were placed on prophylactic antibiotics over a certain period was done. The rate of UTI, the types of causative organisms isolated and the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in preventing UTI were documented. Results: Thirty-six (36) out of 134 patients had been started on prophylactic antibiotics after the diagnosis of CAKUT was made. There was a statistically significant association between the use of prophylactic antibiotics and the rate of UTI (p Conclusion: Antibiotic prophylaxis was very effective in decreasing the rate of UTI in our cohort of patients with CAKUT.

In black African children with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) there are high rates of steroid resistance. The aim was to determine genetic associations with apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) renal risk variants and podocin (NPHS2) variants in 30 unrelated black South African children with FSGS. Three APOL1 variants were genotyped and the exons of the NPHS2 gene sequenced in the cases and controls. APOL1 risk alleles show a modest association with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). The NPHS2 V260E variant was present in SRNS cases (V/V = 5; V/E = 4; E/E = 11), and was absent in SSNS cases. Haplotype analysis suggests a single mutation origin for V260E and it was associated with a decline in kidney function over a 60-month period (p = 0.026). The V260E variant is a good predictor of autosomal recessive SRNS in black South African children and could provide useful information in a clinical setting., Govender et al. report that the common African mutation V260E in the podocin protein is associated with autosomal recessive steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in black South African children with biopsy-proven focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. This variant was absent in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome, indicating its utility in treatment decisions.

Introduction: Enuresis (or Nocturnal Enuresis) is defined as discreet episodes of urinary incontinence during sleep in children over 5 years of age in the absence of congenital or acquired neurological disorders. Recommendations: Suggestions and recommendations are made on the various therapeutic options available within a South African context. These therapeutic options include; behavioural modification, pharmaceutical therapy [Desmospressin (DDAVP), Anticholinergic (ACh) Agents, Mirabegron (β3-adrenoreceptor agonists), and Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)], alternative treatments, complementary therapies, urotherapy, alarm therapy, psychological therapy and biofeedback. The role of the Bladder Diary, additional investigations and Mobile Phone Applications (Apps) in enuresis is also explored. Standardised definitions are also outlined within this document. Conclusion: An independent, unbiased, national evaluation and treatment guideline based on the pathophysiological subcategory is proposed using an updated, evidence based approach. This Guideline has received endorsement from the South African Urological Association, Enuresis Academy of South Africa and further input from international experts within the field. Keywords: Enuresis, Nocturnal Enuresis, South African, Therapeutic options, Mobile Phone Applications (Apps), Treatment guideline, Expert consensus

We report on a case of a pediatric recipient with a well-managed HIV associated nephropathy (HIVAN) on highly active anti-retroviral therapy who underwent a successful deceased donor kidney transplantation, and was unexpectedly found to have a donated staghorn stone. Safe and effective management of the donated stone with combined Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and ExtraCorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy to salvage the solitary allograft is discussed. To our knowledge this case is the first reported pediatric kidney transplant for HIVAN with a donated staghorn kidney stone in the English literature.

Background . Limitations in daily activities can have a major impact on the quality of life in children and adolescents. Long-term dialysis tends to restrict children from carrying out similar activities to those of their peers. Objective. To analyse the health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with end-stage renal disease on dialysis in Johannesburg. Methods . A hospital-based, cross-sectional study which assessed the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD), automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 3.0) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) module as the instrument. The instrument is a questionnaire comprising 7 domains with a total of 34 questions/items. Child reports as well as parent proxy reports were obtained. Questionnaires were administered to all patients and parents/caregivers of children on all forms of chronic dialysis. Results . Twenty-seven children and adolescents were studied. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of the study participants was 14.4 (4.8) years (range 5 - 25). Fourteen patients were on HD while 13 were on peritoneal dialysis (8 on APD and 5 on CAPD). Those on HD were significantly older, with a mean (SD) age of 16.6 (3.2) years, compared with the mean (SD) age of those on PD, which was 12.1 (5.3) years ( p =0.007). Moreover, those on HD had been on dialysis for a longer period of time, with a mean (SD) period of 4.5 (3.3) years, compared with those on PD who had been on dialysis for a mean (SD) duration of 1.7 (0.8) years ( p =0.006). The HRQOL was lower in most domains in the HD group compared with the PD group. Among the patients on PD, the HRQOL scores were lower in the APD group compared with the CAPD group ( p >0.05). The ratings by the parent proxies were higher than those reported by the children themselves in most domains. When compared with the population mean HRQOL scores derived from a healthy paediatric population, the mean HRQOL scores of the children with ESRD on dialysis were significantly lower for both child ( t =–11.1; p =0.001) and parent proxy reports ( t =–7.2; p =0.001). Conclusion . HRQOL is low in children with ESRD receiving chronic dialysis. It tends to be much lower in children on HD when compared with those on PD. PD appears to be more acceptable to children and parents/caregivers than HD.

Background: Different histo-pathological types and treatment response patterns of Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) have been associated with differences in ethnicity and geographical location. Objective: To provide an update on the steroid response and renal histo-pathological pattern in children treated for INS. Method: Medical records of children with INS treated at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital were reviewed. Results : Mean age was 5.3 years ± 2.8. The majority (68.1%) of the 163 children were of the black racial group. The highest rate of INS was seen in the 2-6 year age group (71.2%). The black racial group had the highest rate (42/111; 37.8%) of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and the white race had the highest rate (9/14; 64.3%) of minimal change disease (MCD). Ninety four (57.7%) patients were steroid sensitive (SSNS) while 69 patients (42.3%) were steroid resistant (SRNS). Minimal change disease was the most common histo-pathological type seen in SSNS (60%), while FSGS was the most common observed in patients who had SRNS (65.2%). Conclusion: There appears to be a higher rate of FSGS in all the racial groups, and also a higher rate of MCD in the black race group, when compared to previous reports. Keywords : Idiopathic, nephrotic syndrome, children.