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Background Data on comorbidities in children on kidney replacement therapy (KRT) are scarce. Considering their high relevance for prognosis and treatment, this study aims to analyse the prevalence and implications of comorbidities in European children on KRT. Methods We included data from patients Results Comorbidities were present in 33% of the 4127 children commencing KRT and the prevalence has steadily increased by 5% annually since 2007. Comorbidities were most frequent in high-income countries (43% versus 24% in low-income countries and 33% in middle-income countries). Patients with comorbidities had a lower access to transplantation {adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61–0.74]} and a higher risk of death [aHR 1.79 (95% CI 1.38–2.32)]. The increased mortality was only seen in dialysis patients [aHR 1.60 (95% CI 1.21–2.13)], and not after KT. For both outcomes, the impact of comorbidities was stronger in low-income countries. Graft survival was not affected by the presence of comorbidities [aHR for 5-year graft failure 1.18 (95% CI 0.84–1.65)]. Conclusions Comorbidities have become more frequent in children on KRT and reduce their access to transplantation and survival, especially when remaining on dialysis. KT should be considered as an option in all paediatric KRT patients and efforts should be made to identify modifiable barriers to KT for children with comorbidities.

Background The European Renal Association (ERA) Registry collects data on kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This paper is a summary of the 2020 ERA Registry Annual Report, also including comparisons among primary renal disease (PRD) groups. Methods Data was collected from 52 national and regional registries from 34 European countries and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea: 35 registries from 18 countries providing individual level data and 17 registries from 17 countries providing aggregated data. Using this data, KRT incidence and prevalence, kidney transplantation rates, expected remaining lifetimes, and survival probabilities were calculated. Results A general population of 654.9 million people was covered by the ERA Registry in 2020. The overall incidence of KRT was 128 per million population (pmp). In incident KRT patients, 54% were older than 65 years, 63% were men, and the most common PRD was diabetes mellitus (21%). Regarding initial treatment modality in incident patients, 85% received haemodialysis (HD), 11% received peritoneal dialysis (PD), and 4% received a pre-emptive kidney transplant. On December 31 2020, the prevalence of KRT was 931 pmp. In prevalent patients, 45% were older than 65 years, 60% were men, and glomerulonephritis was the most common PRD (18%). Of these patients, 58% were on HD, 5% on PD, and 37% were living with a kidney transplant. The overall kidney transplantation rate in 2020 was 28 pmp, with a majority of kidney grafts from deceased donors (71%). The unadjusted 5-year survival, based on incident dialysis patient from 2011–2015, was 41.8%. For patients having received a deceased donor transplant, the unadjusted 5-year survival probability was 86.2% and for patients having received a living donor transplant it was 94.4%. When comparing data by PRD group, differences were found regarding the distribution of age groups, sex and treatment modality received.

Background Associations between anthropometric measures and patient outcomes in children are inconsistent and mainly based on data at kidney replacement therapy (KRT) initiation. We studied associations of height and body mass index (BMI) with access to kidney transplantation, graft failure, and death during childhood KRT. Methods We included patients 1.88. Underweight, overweight and obesity were calculated using age and sex-specific BMI for height-age criteria. Associations with outcomes were assessed using multivariable Cox models with time-dependent covariates. Results We included 11,873 patients. Likelihood of transplantation was lower for short (aHR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.78–0.86), tall (aHR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.56–0.75), and underweight patients (aHR: 0.79, 95%CI: 0.71–0.87). Compared with normal height, patients with short and tall statures showed higher graft failure risk. All-cause mortality risk was higher in short (aHR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.92–2.74), but not in tall stature. Underweight (aHR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.38–2.23) and obese (aHR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.11–1.99) patients showed higher all-cause mortality risk than normal weight subjects. Conclusions Short and tall stature and being underweight were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving a kidney allograft. Mortality risk was higher among pediatric KRT patients with a short stature or those being underweight or obese. Our results highlight the need for careful nutritional management and multidisciplinary approach for these patients. Graphical abstract

Background For 10 consecutive years, the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry has included data on children with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD 5) receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in Europe. We examined trends in incidence and prevalence of KRT and patient survival. Methods We included all children aged Results Incidence of children commencing KRT Conclusions We found a stable incidence and increasing prevalence of European children on KRT 2007–2016. Five-year patient survival was good and was unchanged over time. These data can inform patients and healthcare providers and aid health policy makers on future resource planning of pediatric KRT in Europe.

One of the main objectives of the European health policy framework is to ensure equitable access to high-quality health services across Europe. Here we examined country-specific kidney transplantation and graft failure rates in children and explore their country- and patient-level determinants. Patients under 20 years of age initiating kidney replacement therapy from January 2007 through December 2015 in 37 European countries participating in the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry were included in the analyses. Countries were categorized as low-, middle-, and high-income based on gross domestic product. At five-years of follow-up, 4326 of 6909 children on kidney replacement therapy received their first kidney transplant. Overall median time from kidney replacement therapy start to first kidney transplantation was 1.4 (inter quartile range 0.3-4.3) years. The five-year kidney transplantation probability was 48.8% (95% confidence interval: 45.9-51.7%) in low-income, 76.3% (72.8-79.5%) in middle-income and 92.3% (91.0-93.4%) in high-income countries and was strongly associated with macro-economic factors. Gross domestic product alone explained 66% of the international variation in transplantation rates. Compared with high-income countries, kidney transplantation was 76% less likely to be performed in low-income and 58% less likely in middle-income countries. Overall five-year graft survival in Europe was 88% and showed little variation across countries. Thus, despite large disparities transplantation access across Europe, graft failure rates were relatively similar. Hence, graft survival in low-risk transplant recipients from lower-income countries seems as good as graft survival among all (low, medium, and high risk) graft recipients from high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Improved management of growth impairment might have resulted in less growth retardation after pediatric kidney transplantation (KT) over time. We aimed to analyze recent longitudinal growth data after KT in comparison to previous eras, its determinants, and the association with transplant outcome in a large cohort of transplanted children using data from the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association and European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry. METHODS: A total of 3492 patients transplanted before 18 years from 1990 to 2012 were included. Height SD scores (SDS) were calculated using recent national or European growth charts. We used generalized equation models to estimate the prevalence of growth deficit and linear mixed models to calculate adjusted mean height SDS. RESULTS: Mean adjusted height post-KT was -1.77 SDS. Height SDS was within normal range in 55%, whereas 28% showed moderate, and 17% severe growth deficit. Girls were significantly shorter than boys, but catch-up growth by 5 years post-KT was observed in both boys and girls. Children 12. CONCLUSIONS: Catch-up growth post-KT remains limited, height SDS did not improve over time, resulting in short stature in nearly half of transplanted children in Europe.

PubMedID: 31038179 Background: There is no consensus regarding the timing of dialysis therapy initiation for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in children. As studies investigating the association between timing of dialysis initiation and clinical outcomes are lacking, we aimed to study this relationship in a cohort of European children who started maintenance dialysis treatment. Methods: We used data on 2963 children from 21 different countries included in the European Society of Pediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry who started renal replacement therapy before 18 years of age between 2000 and 2014. We compared two groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at start: eGFR ?8 mL/min/1.73 m2 (early starters) and eGFR

Background. Many centers accept a minimum body weight of 10 kg as threshold for kidney transplantation (Tx) in children. As solid evidence for clinical outcomes in multinational studies is lacking, we evaluated practices and outcomes in European children weighing below 10 kg at Tx. Methods. Data were obtained from the European Society of Paediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association and European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry on all children who started kidney replacement therapy at

Growth retardation is a major complication in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and on kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Conversely, better growth in childhood CKD is associated with an improvement in several hard morbidity–mortality endpoints. Data from pediatric international registries has demonstrated that improvements in the overall conservative management of CKD, the search for optimal dialysis, and advances in immunosuppression and kidney transplant techniques have led to a significant improvement of final height over time. Infancy still remains a critical period for adequate linear growth, and the loss of stature during the first years of life influences final height. Preliminary new original data from the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ESPN/ERA-EDTA) Registry confirm an association between the final height and the height attained at 2 years in children on KRT.

Background The European Renal Association – European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry collects data on kidney replacement therapy (KRT) via national and regional renal registries in Europe and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This article summarizes the 2018 ERA-EDTA Registry Annual Report, and describes the epidemiology of KRT for kidney failure in 34 countries. Methods Individual patient data on patients undergoing KRT in 2018 were provided by 34 national or regional renal registries and aggregated data by 17 registries. The incidence and prevalence of KRT, the kidney transplantation activity and the survival probabilities of these patients were calculated. Results In 2018, the ERA-EDTA Registry covered a general population of 636 million people. Overall, the incidence of KRT for kidney failure was 129 per million population (p.m.p.), 62% of patients were men, 51% were ≥65 years of age and 20% had diabetes mellitus as cause of kidney failure. Treatment modality at the onset of KRT was haemodialysis (HD) for 84%, peritoneal dialysis (PD) for 11% and pre-emptive kidney transplantation for 5% of patients. On 31 December 2018, the prevalence of KRT was 897 p.m.p., with 57% of patients on HD, 5% on PD and 38% living with a kidney transplant. The transplant rate in 2018 was 35 p.m.p.: 68% received a kidney from a deceased donor, 30% from a living donor and for 2% the donor source was unknown. For patients commencing dialysis during 2009–13, the unadjusted 5-year survival probability was 42.6%. For patients receiving a kidney transplant within this period, the unadjusted 5-year survival probability was 86.6% for recipients of deceased donor grafts and 93.9% for recipients of living donor grafts.

WOS:000577244700025 PubMed ID: 32897277 Background. This article presents a summary of the 2017 Annual Report of the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry and describes the epidemiology of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 37 countries. Methods. The ERA-EDTA Registry received individual patient data on patients undergoing RRT for ESRD in 2017 from 32 national or regional renal registries and aggregated data from 21 registries. The incidence and prevalence of RRT, kidney transplantation activity and survival probabilities of these patients were calculated. Results. In 2017, the ERA-EDTA Registry covered a general population of 694 million people. The incidence of RRT for ESRD was 127 per million population (pmp), ranging from 37 pmp in Ukraine to 252 pmp in Greece. A total of 62% of patients were men, 52% were >= 65 years of age and 23% had diabetes mellitus as the primary renal disease. The treatment modality at the onset of RRT was haemodialysis for 85% of patients. On 31 December 2017, the prevalence of RRT was 854 pmp, ranging from 210 pmp in Ukraine to 1965 pmp in Portugal. The transplant rate in 2017 was 33 pmp, ranging from 3 pmp in Ukraine to 103 pmp in the Spanish region of Catalonia. For patients commencing RRT during 2008-12, the unadjusted 5-year patient survival probability for all RRT modalities combined was 50.8%. ERA-EDTA The ERA-EDTA Registry is funded by the ERA-EDTA. This article was written by Kramer et al. on behalf of the ERAEDTA Registry, which is an official body of the ERA-EDTA. In addition, M.F.S.R. reports personal fees from NxStage outside the submitted work and K.J.J. reports grants from the ERA-EDTA during the conduct of the study and a speaker fee from Fresenius Medical Care outside the submitted work.

Background and Aims Few studies have focused on trends of hypertension (HTN) and status of blood pressure (BP) control over time in children on renal replacement therapy (RRT). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the 5-year trend in BP antihypertensive medications (AHs) use, as well as the association between HTN and mortality among RRT patients enrolled within the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry. Method 25.223 BP measurements from 5.032 patients who started RRT before 20 years of age, between 2007-2016, were included. Mixed models were used to analyse trends of BP, the JointPoint regression to assess prevalence of uncontrolled HTN (uHTN) over time, and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate association of BP with mortality. Results Mean systolic BP (SBP) at RRT initiation was 1.66(+0.15), 1.05(+0.15) and 1.09(+0.08) SDS in HD, PD and transplanted (Tx) patients, respectively, while it was 1.41(+0.19), 1.12(+0.18), and 0.79(+0.06) SDS in the corresponding RRT categories after 5 years. Patients on HD showed a significant decrease in the prevalence of uHTN over time (57.1% at dialysis start vs 41.4% after 5 years; annual percentage change [APC] -4%; 95% CI: -5.7;-2.2; p Conclusion A more adequate control of BP over time seemed to be obtained in children on RRT. Findings in PD patients suggest that this requires a progressive increase in the use of AHs.

Background and Aims The ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry includes data on children with end-stage kidney disease receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Europe for 10 consecutive years. We examined time trends in incidence, prevalence and patient survival for paediatric RRT in Europe. Method We included all children aged < 15 years starting RRT in 22 European countries from 2007 to 2016. General population statistics were derived from Eurostat. Incidence and prevalence were expressed per million age related population (pmarp) and time trends were studied with Joinpoint regression. We analyzed patient survival using Cox regression. Results The incidence of children commencing RRT < 15 years remained stable over the past ten years, varying between 5.5 pmarp to 6.5 pmarp. The incidence by treatment modality did not change over time: 2.0 to 3.0 pmarp for haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 1.0 pmarp for transplantation. Overall prevalence rose by 2% annually (95% CI: 1.5-2.3%) from 29.5 pmarp in 2007 to 35.6 pmarp in 2016. The increase in prevalence was observed in all age categories, but was strongest among children older than 5 years at RRT initiation. The prevalence of patients on all treatment modalities increased during the study period: from 4.5 to 5.4 pmarp for HD, from 4.9 pmarp to 6.0 pmarp for PD and from 19.6 to 23.9 pmarp for transplantation (Figure). Four-year adjusted patient survival on RRT was around 96% and similar for those initiating from 2007-2009 and from 2010-2012 (adjusted HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.69-1.36). Conclusion Over the past decade we found a stable incidence and an increasing prevalence of European children on RRT. Four-year patient survival was good, and did not change over time. These data are important to inform patients and healthcare providers and to aid health policy makers on future resource planning of pediatric RRT in Europe.

Background and objectives Data on recovery of kidney function in pediatric patients with presumed ESKD are scarce. We examined the occurrence of recovery of kidney function and its determinants in a large cohort of pediatric patients on maintenance dialysis in Europe. Design, setting, participants, & measurements Data for 6574 patients from 36 European countries commencing dialysis at an age below 15 years, between 1990 and 2014 were extracted from the European Society for Pediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry. Recovery of kidney function was defined as discontinuation of dialysis for at least 30 days. Time to recovery was studied using a cumulative incidence competing risk approach and adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. Results Two years after dialysis initiation, 130 patients (2%) experienced recovery of their kidney function after a median of 5.0 (interquartile range, 2.0–9.6) months on dialysis. Compared with patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, recovery more often occurred in patients with vasculitis (11% at 2 years; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 20.4; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 9.7 to 42.8), ischemic kidney failure (12%; adjusted HR, 11.4; 95% CI, 5.6 to 23.1), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (13%; adjusted HR, 15.6; 95% CI, 8.9 to 27.3). Younger age and initiation on hemodialysis instead of peritoneal dialysis were also associated with recovery. For 42 patients (32%), recovery was transient as they returned to kidney replacement therapy after a median recovery period of 19.7 (interquartile range, 9.0–41.3) months. Conclusions We demonstrate a recovery rate of 2% within 2 years after dialysis initiation in a large cohort of pediatric patients on maintenance dialysis. There is a clinically important chance of recovery in patients on dialysis with vasculitis, ischemic kidney failure, and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which should be considered when planning kidney transplantation in these children.

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND: We explored the variation in country mortality rates in the paediatric population receiving renal replacement therapy across Europe, and estimated how much of this variation could be explained by patient-level and country-level factors. METHODS: In this registry analysis, we extracted patient data from the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ESPN/ERA-EDTA) Registry for 32 European countries. We included incident patients younger than 19 years receiving renal replacement therapy. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and the explained variation were modelled for patient-level and country-level factors with multilevel Cox regression. The primary outcome studied was all-cause mortality while on renal replacement therapy. FINDINGS: Between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2013, the overall 5 year renal replacement therapy mortality rate was 15.8 deaths per 1000 patient-years (IQR 6.4-16.4). France had a mortality rate (9.2) of more than 3 SDs better, and Russia (35.2), Poland (39.9), Romania (47.4), and Bulgaria (68.6) had mortality rates more than 3 SDs worse than the European average. Public health expenditure was inversely associated with mortality risk (per SD increase, aHR 0.69, 95% CI 0.52-0.91) and explained 67% of the variation in renal replacement therapy mortality rates between countries. Child mortality rates showed a significant association with renal replacement therapy mortality, albeit mediated by macroeconomics (eg, neonatal mortality reduced from 1.31 [95% CI 1.13-1.53], p=0.0005, to 1.21 [0.97-1.51], p=0.10). After accounting for country distributions of patient age, the variation in renal replacement therapy mortality rates between countries increased by 21%. INTERPRETATION: Substantial international variation exists in paediatric renal replacement therapy mortality rates across Europe, most of which was explained by disparities in public health expenditure, which seems to limit the availability and quality of paediatric renal care. Differences between countries in their ability to accept and treat the youngest patients, who are the most complex and costly to treat, form an important source of disparity within this population. Our findings can be used by policy makers and health-care providers to explore potential strategies to help reduce these health disparities. FUNDING: ERA-EDTA and ESPN.

Background The impact of donor age in paediatric kidney transplantation is unclear. We therefore examined the association of donor-recipient age combinations with graft survival in children. Methods Data for 4686 first kidney transplantations performed in 13 countries in 1990-2013 were extracted from the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry. The effect of donor and recipient age combinations on 5-year graft-failure risk, stratified by donor source, was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression, while adjusting for sex, primary renal diseases with a high risk of recurrence, pre-emptive transplantation, year of transplantation and country. Results The risk of graft failure in older living donors (50-75 years old) was similar to that of younger living donors {adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-1.47]}. Deceased donor (DD) age was non-linearly associated with graft survival, with the highest risk of graft failure found in the youngest donor age group [0-5 years; compared with donor ages 12-19 years; aHR 1.69 (95% CI 1.26-2.26)], especially among the youngest recipients (0-11 years). DD age had little effect on graft failure in recipients' ages 12-19 years. Conclusions Our results suggest that donations from older living donors provide excellent graft outcomes in all paediatric recipients. For young recipients, the allocation of DDs over the age of 5 years should be prioritized.

Study findings suggest that initiating dialysis at a higher eGFR level in adults with ESRD does not improve survival. It is less clear whether starting dialysis at a higher eGFR is associated with a survival benefit in children with CKD.To investigate this issue, we performed a retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients aged 1-18 years who, according to the US Renal Data System, started dialysis between 1995 and 2015. The primary predictor was eGFR at the time of dialysis initiation, categorized as higher (eGFR10 ml/min per 1.73 mOf 15,170 children, 4327 (29%) had a higher eGFR (median eGFR, 12.8 ml/min per 1.73 mIn children with ESRD, a higher eGFR at dialysis initiation is associated with lower survival, particularly among children whose initial treatment modality is hemodialysis.

Background Current guidelines advocate use of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) over central venous catheter (CVC) for children starting hemodialysis (HD). European data on current practice, determinants of access choice and switches, patient survival, and access to transplantation are limited. Methods We included incident patients from 18 European countries who started HD from 2000 to 2013 for whom vascular access type was reported to the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, logistic and Cox regression models, and cumulative incidence competing risk analysis. Results Three hundred ninety-three (55.1%) of 713 children started HD with a CVC and were more often females, younger, had more often an unknown diagnosis, glomerulonephritis, or vasculitis, and lower hemoglobin and height-SDS at HD initiation. AVF patients were 91% less likely to switch to a second access, and two-year patient survival was 99.6% (CVC, 97.2%). Children who started with an AVF were less likely to receive a living donor transplant (adjusted HR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.16–0.54) and more likely to receive a deceased donor transplant (adjusted HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.17–1.93), even after excluding patients who died or were transplanted in the first 6 months. Conclusions CVC remains the most frequent type of vascular access in European children commencing HD. Our results suggest that the choice for CVC is influenced by the time of referral, rapid onset of end-stage renal disease, young age, and an expected short time to transplantation. The role of vascular access type on the pattern between living and deceased donation in subsequent transplantation requires further study. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00467-018-4129-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Publisher's version (útgefin grein), Background: This article summarizes the ERA-EDTA Registry's 2016 Annual Report, by describing the epidemiology of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 2016 within 36 countries. Methods: In 2017 and 2018, the ERA-EDTA Registry received data on patients undergoing RRT for ESRD in 2016 from 52 national or regional renal registries. In all, 32 registries provided individual patient data and 20 provided aggregated data. The incidence and prevalence of RRT and the survival probabilities of these patients were determined. Results: In 2016, the incidence of RRT for ESRD was 121 per million population (pmp), ranging from 29 pmp in Ukraine to 251 pmp in Greece. Almost two-thirds of patients were men, over half were aged ≥65 years and almost a quarter had diabetes mellitus as their primary renal diagnosis. Treatment modality at the start of RRT was haemodialysis for 84% of patients. On 31 December 2016, the prevalence of RRT was 823 pmp, ranging from 188 pmp in Ukraine to 1906 pmp in Portugal. In 2016, the transplant rate was 32 pmp, varying from 3 pmp in Ukraine to 94 pmp in the Spanish region of Catalonia. For patients commencing RRT during 2007-11, the 5-year unadjusted patient survival probability on all RRT modalities combined was 50.5%. For 2016, the incidence and prevalence of RRT were higher among men (187 and 1381 pmp) than women (101 and 827 pmp), and men had a higher rate of kidney transplantation (59 pmp) compared with women (33 pmp). For patients starting dialysis and for patients receiving a kidney transplant during 2007-11, the adjusted patient survival probabilities appeared to be higher for women than for men., The ERA-EDTA Registry is funded by the European Renal Association – European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA). This article was written by Anneke Kramer et al. on behalf of the ERA-EDTA Registry, which is an official body of the ERA-EDTA. In addition, Dr. Caskey reports funding from the National Health Service during the conduct of the study. Dr. Finne reports personal fees from Baxter, outside the submitted work and Dr. Slon Roblero reports personal fees from NxStage, outside the submitted work.

We aimed to describe survival in European pediatric dialysis patients and compare the differential mortality risk between patients starting on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Data for 6473 patients under 19 years of age or younger were extracted from the European Society of Pediatric Nephrology, the European Renal Association, and European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry for 36 countries for the years 2000 through 2013. Hazard ratios (HRs) were adjusted for age at start of dialysis, sex, primary renal disease, and country. A secondary analysis was performed on a propensity score-matched (PSM) cohort. The overall 5-year survival rate in European children starting on dialysis was 89.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87.7%-91.0%). The mortality rate was 28.0 deaths per 1000 patient years overall. This was highest (36.0/1000) during the first year of dialysis and in the 0- to 5-year age group (49.4/1000). Cardiovascular events (18.3%) and infections (17.0%) were the main causes of death. Children selected to start on HD had an increased mortality risk compared with those on PD (adjusted HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.06-1.82, PSM HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.06-2.00), especially during the first year of dialysis (HD/PD adjusted HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.22-2.38, PSM HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.20-2.66), when starting at older than 5 years of age (HD/PD: adjusted HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.03-2.43, PSM HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.17-2.98) and when children have been seen by a nephrologist for only a short time before starting dialysis (HD/PD adjusted HR 6.55, 95% CI 2.35-18.28, PSM HR 2.93, 95% CI 1.04-8.23). Because unmeasured case-mix differences and selection bias may explain the higher mortality risk in the HD population, these results should be interpreted with caution.

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of sub-target hemoglobin (Hb) levels in children with a renal allograft and to identify potential determinants associated with these Hb levels. Data from 3669 children with a functioning renal allograft, aged < 18 years between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2012, from 20 European countries were retrieved from the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry, providing 16, 170 Hb measurements. According to the NKF/KDOQI classification and the UK-NICE guidelines, 49.8 and 7.8 % of the patients, respectively, were anemic. Hb levels were strongly associated with graft function, with Hb levels of 12.6 g/dl in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1, declining to 10.7 g/dl in children with CKD stage 5 (P < 0.001). Higher Hb levels were associated with the use of tacrolimus compared to ciclosporin (0.14 g/dl ; 95 % confidence interval 0.02-0.27 ; P = 0.002). Low Hb levels were associated with an increased risk of graft failure (P = 0.01) or combined graft failure and death (P < 0.01), but not with death alone (not significant). Anemia is present in a significant proportion of European pediatric kidney transplant recipients and is associated with renal allograft dysfunction and type of immunosuppressants used. In our patient cohort, higher Hb levels were associated with better graft and patient survival and less hypertension.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children is a medically challenging condition. Due to its rarity and special features, methodologically sound collaborative studies are required. In 2007, a new European registry of pediatric renal replacement therapy (RRT), the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry, was launched. In recent years, the Registry has provided comprehensive data on incidence, prevalence, patient characteristics, RRT modalities, and mortality in pediatric ESRD, along with relevant insights into cardiovascular risk, anemia, nutrition and growth, transplantation outcomes, and rare diseases. In this review, we describe the study design and structure underlying the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry, summarize the major research findings from more than 20 publications, and discuss current limitations and the future challenges to overcome.

Survival in the pediatric end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population has improved substantially over recent decades. Nonetheless, mortality remains at least 30 times higher than that of healthy peers. Patient survival is multifactorial and dependent on various patient and treatment characteristics and degree of economic welfare of the country in which a patient is treated. In this educational review, we aim to delineate current evidence regarding mortality risk in the pediatric ESRD population and provide pediatric nephrologists with up-to-date information required to counsel affected families.

Publisher's version (útgefin grein), Background This article summarizes the European Renal Association – European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry’s 2015 Annual Report. It describes the epidemiology of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 2015 within 36 countries. Methods In 2016 and 2017, the ERA-EDTA Registry received data on patients who were undergoing RRT for ESRD in 2015, from 52 national or regional renal registries. Thirty-two registries provided individual patient-level data and 20 provided aggregated-level data. The incidence, prevalence and survival probabilities of these patients were determined. Results In 2015, 81 373 individuals commenced RRT for ESRD, equating to an overall unadjusted incidence rate of 119 per million population (pmp). The incidence ranged by 10-fold, from 24 pmp in Ukraine to 232 pmp in the Czech Republic. Of the patients commencing RRT, almost two-thirds were men, over half were aged ≥65 years and a quarter had diabetes mellitus as their primary renal diagnosis. Treatment modality at the start of RRT was haemodialysis for 85% of the patients, peritoneal dialysis for 11% and a kidney transplant for 4%. By Day 91 of commencing RRT, 82% of patients were receiving haemodialysis, 13% peritoneal dialysis and 5% had a kidney transplant. On 31 December 2015, 546 783 individuals were receiving RRT for ESRD, corresponding to an unadjusted prevalence of 801 pmp. This ranged throughout Europe by more than 10-fold, from 178 pmp in Ukraine to 1824 pmp in Portugal. In 2015, 21 056 kidney transplantations were performed, equating to an overall unadjusted transplant rate of 31 pmp. This varied from 2 pmp in Ukraine to 94 pmp in the Spanish region of Cantabria. For patients commencing RRT during 2006–10, the 5-year unadjusted patient survival probabilities on all RRT modalities combined was 50.0% (95% confidence interval 49.9–50.1)., The ERA-EDTA Registry is funded by the ERA-EDTA. This article was written by Anneke Kramer et al. on behalf of the ERA-EDTA Registry, which is an official body of the ERA-EDTA.

BACKGROUND: As outcome data for prune belly syndrome (PBS) complicated by end-stage renal disease are scarce, we analyzed characteristics and outcomes of children with PBS using the European Society for Pediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ESPN/ERA-EDTA) Registry data.METHODS: Data were available for 88 male PBS patients aged RESULTS: Median age at onset of RRT in PBS was lower [7.0; interquartile range (IQR) 0.9-12.2 years] than in COU (9.6; IQR: 3.0-14.1 years) and RHD (9.4; IQR: 2.7-14.2 years). Unadjusted 10-year patient survival was 85% for PBS, 94% for COU, and 91% for RHD. After adjustment for country, period, and age, PBS mortality was similar to that of RHD but higher compared with COU [hazard ratio (HR) 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-3.74]. Seventy-four PBS patients (84%) received a first kidney transplant after a median time on dialysis of 8.4 (IQR 0.0-21.1) months. Outcomes with respect to time on dialysis before transplantation, chance of receiving a first transplant within 2 years after commencing RRT, and death-censored, adjusted risk of graft loss were similar for all groups.CONCLUSIONS: This study in the largest cohort of male patients with PBS receiving RRT to date demonstrates that outcomes are comparable with other congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, except for a slightly higher mortality risk compared with patients with COU.

BACKGROUND Growth retardation in paediatric end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has a serious impact on adult life. It is potentially treatable with recombinant growth hormone (rGH). In this study, we aimed to quantify the variation in rGH policies and actual provided care in these patients across Europe. METHODS Renal registry representatives of 38 European countries received a structured questionnaire on rGH policy. Cross-sectional data on height and actual use of rGH on children with ESRD aged

Background Information on lipid abnormalities in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) mainly originates from adult patients and small paediatric studies. We describe the prevalence of dyslipidaemia, and potential determinants associated with lipid measures in a large cohort of paediatric ESRD patients. Methods In the ESPN/ERA-EDTA registry, lipid measurements were available for 976 patients aged 2-17 years from 19 different countries from the year 2000 onwards. Dyslipidaemia was defined as triglycerides >100 mg/dL (2-9 years) or >130 mg/dL (9-17 years), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol 145 mg/dL. Missing data were supplemented using multiple imputation. Results The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 85.1% in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, 76.1% in haemodialysis (HD) patients and 55.5% among renal allograft recipients. Both low and high body mass index (BMI) were associated with a less favourable lipid profile. Younger age was associated with a worse lipid profile among PD patients. HDL levels significantly improved after transplantation, whereas no significant improvements were found for triglyceride and non-HDL levels. In transplant recipients, use of cyclosporin was associated with significantly higher non-HDL and HDL levels than tacrolimus usage (P < 0.01). In transplant patients with eGFR < 29 mL/min/1.73 m2, the mean triglyceride level was 137 mg/dL (99% confidence interval (CI): 119-159) compared with 102 mg/dL among those with eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.0001). Conclusions Dyslipidaemia is common among paediatric ESRD patients in Europe. Young age and PD treatment are associated with worse lipid profiles. Although lipid levels generally improve after transplantation, dyslipidaemia may persist due to decreased graft function, high BMI or to the use of certain immunosuppressants

Background: This article summarizes the European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry's 2014 annual report. It describes the epidemiology of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 2014 within 35 countries. Methods: In 2016, the ERA-EDTA Registry received data on patients who in 2014 where undergoing RRT for ESRD, from 51 national or regional renal registries. Thirty-two registries provided individual patient level data and 19 provided aggregated patient level data. The incidence, prevalence and survival probabilities of these patients were determined. Results: In 2014, 70 953 individuals commenced RRT for ESRD, equating to an overall unadjusted incidence rate of 133 per million population (pmp). The incidence ranged by 10-fold; from 23 pmp in the Ukraine to 237 pmp in Portugal. Of the patients commencing RRT, almost two-thirds were men, over half were aged ≥65 years and a quarter had diabetes mellitus as their primary renal diagnosis. By day 91 of commencing RRT, 81% of patients were receiving haemodialysis. On 31 December 2014, 490 743 individuals were receiving RRT for ESRD, equating to an unadjusted prevalence of 924 pmp. This ranged throughout Europe by more than 10-fold, from 157 pmp in the Ukraine to 1794 pmp in Portugal. In 2014, 19 406 kidney transplantations were performed, equating to an overall unadjusted transplant rate of 36 pmp. Again this varied considerably throughout Europe. For patients commencing RRT during 2005-09, the 5-year-adjusted patient survival probabilities on all RRT modalities was 63.3% (95% confidence interval 63.0-63.6). The expected remaining lifetime of a 20- to 24-year-old patient with ESRD receiving dialysis or living with a kidney transplant was 21.9 and 44.0 years, respectively. This was substantially lower than the 61.8 years of expected remaining lifetime of a 20-year-old patient without ESRD., 0, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background Racial differences in overall mortality rates have been found in children on renal replacement therapy (RRT). We used data from the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry to study racial variation in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among European children on RRT. Methods We included patients aged

The ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry collects data on European children with end-stage renal disease receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) who are listed on national and regional renal registries in Europe. In this paper we report on the analysis of demographic data collected from 2009 to 2011. Data on primary renal disease, incidence, prevalence, 4-year survival, transplantation rate and causes of death in paediatric patients receiving RRT were extracted from the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry for 37 European countries. The incidence of RRT in paediatric patients in Europe during the study period was 5.5 cases per million age-related population (pmarp) in patients aged 0-14 years and varied markedly between countries (interquartile range 3.4-7.0 years). The prevalence of RRT was 27.9 pmarp and increased with age, with 67 % of prevalent patients living with a functioning graft. The probability of receiving a transplant within 4 years was 76.9 % and was lowest in patients aged 0-4 years (68.9 %). Mortality in paediatric patients treated with RRT was 55-fold higher than that of the general EU paediatric population. Overall survival at 4 years was 93.7 %, with the poorest survival in patients aged 0-4 years and in patients starting on dialysis. Infections (19.9 %) were the primary cause of death in European paediatric RRT patients. Considerable variation exists in the current demographics of children treated with RRT across Europe.

Background This article provides a summary of the 2011 ERA–EDTA Registry Annual Report (available at www.era-edta-reg.org). Methods Data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from national and regional renal registries in 30 countries in Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea were used. From 27 registries, individual patient data were received, whereas 17 registries contributed data in aggregated form. We present the incidence and prevalence of RRT, and renal transplant rates in 2011. In addition, survival probabilities and expected remaining lifetimes were calculated for those registries providing individual patient data. Results The overall unadjusted incidence rate of RRT in 2011 among all registries reporting to the ERA–EDTA Registry was 117 per million population (pmp) (n = 71.631). Incidence rates varied from 24 pmp in Ukraine to 238 pmp in Turkey. The overall unadjusted prevalence of RRT for ESRD on 31 December 2011 was 692 pmp (n = 425 824). The highest prevalence was reported by Portugal (1662 pmp) and the lowest by Ukraine (131 pmp). Among all registries, a total of 22 814 renal transplantations were performed (37 pmp). The highest overall transplant rate was reported from Spain, Cantabria (81 pmp), whereas the highest rate of living donor transplants was reported from Turkey (39 pmp). For patients who started RRT between 2002 and 2006, the unadjusted 5-year patient survival on RRT was 46.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 46.6–47.0], and on dialysis 39.3% (95% CI 39.2–39.4). The unadjusted 5-year patient survival after the first renal transplantation performed between 2002 and 2006 was 86.7% (95% CI 86.2–87.2) for kidneys from deceased donors and 94.3% (95% CI 93.6–95.0) for kidneys from living donors.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of childhood overweight is rising worldwide, but in children on renal replacement therapy (RRT) a poor nutritional status is still the primary concern. We aimed to study the prevalence of, and factors associated with, underweight and overweight/obesity in the European paediatric RRT population. Moreover, we assessed the evolution of body mass index (BMI) after the start of RRT. METHODS We included 4474 patients younger than 16 years from 25 countries of whom BMI data, obtained between 1995 and 2010, were available within the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry. Prevalence estimates for under- and overweight/obesity were calculated using age and sex-specific criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO, 0-1 year olds) and the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs (2-15 year olds). RESULTS The prevalence of underweight was 3.5%, whereas 20.8% of the patients were overweight and 12.5% obese. Factors associated with being underweight were receiving dialysis treatment and infant age. Among transplanted recipients, a very short stature (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.40-1.92) and glucocorticoid treatment (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03-1.47) were associated with a higher risk of being overweight/obese. BMI increased post-transplant, and a lower BMI and a higher age at the start of RRT were associated with greater BMI changes during RRT treatment. CONCLUSIONS Overweight and obesity, rather than underweight, are highly prevalent in European children on RRT. Short stature among graft recipients had a strong association with overweight, while underweight appears to be only a problem in infants. Our findings suggest that nutritional management in children receiving RRT should focus as much on the prevention and treatment of overweight as on preventing malnutrition.

Background: The impact of different dialysis modalities on clinical outcomes has not been explored in young infants with chronic kidney failure. Study Design: Cohort study. Setting & Participants: Data were extracted from the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry. This analysis included 1,063 infants 12 months or younger who initiated dialysis therapy in 1991 to 2013. Factor: Type of dialysis modality. Outcomes & Measurements: Differences between infants treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD) in patient survival, technique survival, and access to kidney transplantation were examined using Cox regression analysis while adjusting for age at dialysis therapy initiation, sex, underlying kidney disease, and country of residence. Results: 917 infants initiated dialysis therapy on PD, and 146, on HD. Median age at dialysis therapy initiation was 4.5 (IQR, 0.7-7.9) months, and median body weight was 5.7 (IQR, 3.7-7.5) kg. Although the groups were homogeneous regarding age and sex, infants treated with PD more often had congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT; 48% vs 27%), whereas those on HD therapy more frequently had metabolic disorders (12% vs 4%). Risk factors for death were younger age at dialysis therapy initiation (HR per each 1-month later initiation, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.90-0.97) and non-CAKUT cause of chronic kidney failure (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.08-2.04). Mortality risk and likelihood of transplantation were equal in PD and HD patients, whereas HD patients had a higher risk for changing dialysis treatment (adjusted HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.17-2.31). Limitations: Inability to control for unmeasured confounders not included in the Registry database and missing data (ie, comorbid conditions). Low statistical power because of relatively small number of participants. Conclusions: Despite a widespread preconception that HD should be reserved for cases in which PD is not feasible, in Europe, we found 1 in 8 infants in need of maintenance dialysis to be initiated on HD therapy. Patient characteristics at dialysis therapy initiation, prospective survival, and time to transplantation were very similar for infants initiated on PD or HD therapy. (C) 2016 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) of the Finnish type, NPHS1, is the most severe form of CNS. Outcomes of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in NPHS1 patients in Europe were analysed using data from the ESPN/ERA-EDTA Registry. As NPHS1 is most prevalent in Finland and the therapeutic approach differs from that in many other countries, we compared outcomes in Finnish and other European patients. NPHS1 mutations were confirmed in 170 children with CNS who initiated RRT (dialysis or renal transplantation) between 1991 and 2012. Finnish (n = 66) and non-Finnish NPHS1 patients (n = 104) were compared with respect to treatment policy, age at first RRT and renal transplantation (RTX), patient and graft survival, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and growth. Age-matched patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) served as controls. Finnish NPHS1 patients were significantly younger than non-Finnish patients, both at the start of RRT and at the time of RTX. We found similar overall 5-year patient survival on RRT (91 %) and graft survival (89 %) in both NPHS1 groups and CAKUT controls. At the start of RRT, height standard deviation score (SDS) was higher in Finnish patients than in non-Finnish patients (mean [95 % CI]: −1.31 [−2.13 to −0.49] and −3.0 [−4.22 to −1.91], p

Background: This article provides a summary of the 2013 European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Registry Annual Report (available at http://www.era- edta-reg.org), with a focus on patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) as the cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods: In 2015, the ERA-EDTA Registry received data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) for ESRD from 49 national or regional renal registries in 34 countries in Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Individual patient data were provided by 31 registries, while 18 registries provided aggregated data. The total population covered by the participating registries comprised 650 million people. Results: In total, 72 933 patients started RRT for ESRD within the countries and regions reporting to the ERA-EDTA Registry, resulting in an overall incidence of 112 per million population (pmp). The overall prevalence on 31 December 2013 was 738 pmp (n = 478 990). Patients with DM as the cause of ESRD comprised 24% of the incident RRT patients (26 pmp) and 17% of the prevalent RRT patients (122 pmp). When compared with the USA, the incidence of patients starting RRT pmp secondary to DM in Europe was five times lower and the incidence of RRT due to other causes of ESRD was two times lower. Overall, 19 426 kidney transplants were performed (30 pmp). The 5-year adjusted survival for all RRT patients was 60.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 60.5-61.3] and 50.6% (95% CI 49.9- 51.2) for patients with DM as the cause of ESRD.

Long-term exposures to dioxins (PCCD/F and dioxin-like PCBs) and ochratoxin A were calculated using food consumption data of the European concise database combined with concentration data of the Netherlands (NL) using a deterministic approach. To refine these assessments, exposures were also calculated using three long-term exposure models, observed individual means (OIM), Iowa State University Foods (ISUF), and betabinomial-normal (BBN) models, combined with individual food consumption data of NL. BBN and ISUF correct the variation in long-term exposure for the within-person variation, whereas OIM calculates the mean exposure over the days in the food consumption survey. Exposures obtained with the concise database were highest, and those obtained with OIM higher than with BBN and ISUF. Contribution of the major sources of exposure differed between the concise database and the three models. Given the constraints of the concise database, exposures obtained with this database should be interpreted as a first tier assessment. Preferably, refined assessments using models that correct the variation in long-term exposure for the within-person variation combined with individual food consumption data and national concentration data should be used to assess the long-term exposure. We recommend the use of BBN since it can model exposure distributions that depend on covariates.

Background and objectives Data on mineral metabolism in pediatric renal transplant recipients largely arise from small single-center studies. In adult patients, abnormal mineral levels are related to a higher risk of graft failure. This study used data from the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry to study the prevalence and potential determinants of mineral abnormalities, as well as the predictive value of a disturbed mineral level on graft survival in a large cohort of European pediatric renal transplant recipients. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This study included 1237 children (0–17 years) from 10 European countries, who had serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone measurements from 2000 onward. Abnormalities of mineral metabolism were defined according to European guidelines on prevention and treatment of renal osteodystrophy in children on chronic renal failure. Results Abnormal serum phosphorus levels were observed in 25% (14% hypophosphatemia and 11% hyperphosphatemia), altered serum calcium in 30% (19% hypocalcemia, 11% hypercalcemia), and hyperparathyroidism in 41% of the patients. A longer time since transplantation was associated with a lower risk of having mineral levels above target range. Serum phosphorus levels were inversely associated with eGFR, and levels above the recommended targets were associated with a higher risk of graft failure independently of eGFR. Conclusions Abnormalities in mineral metabolism are common after pediatric renal transplantation in Europe and are associated with graft dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: In children with either delayed or accelerated growth, expressing the body mass index (BMI) to chronological age might lead to invalid body composition estimates. Reference to height-age has been suggested for such populations; however its validity has not been demonstrated. METHODS: Anthropometric data of healthy children were obtained from the German KiGGS survey. We selected three samples with different height distributions representing short stature (mean height SDS: -1.6), normal stature (height SDS: 0), and tall stature (height SDS: +1.6), and compared BMI-for-age and BMI-for-height-age between these samples across the paediatric age range. Differences between samples were tested using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and permutation tests. RESULTS: At a given age, BMI was distributed towards lower values in short, and towards higher values in tall subjects as compared to a population with average height distribution. Expressing BMI to height-age eliminated these differences in boys with a short stature from 4 years to 14 years of age, in tall boys from 4 to 16 years, in short girls aged 2-10 years or tall girls aged 2-17 years. CONCLUSION: From late infancy to adolescent age, BMI distribution co-varies with height distribution and referencing to height-age appears appropriate within this age period. However, caution is needed when data about pubertal status are absent.

BackgroundGrowth charts based on data collected in different populations and time periods are key tools to assess children's linear growth. We analyzed the impact of geographic factors and the secular trend on height-for-age charts currently used in European populations, developed up-to-date European growth charts, and studied the effect of using different charts in a sample of growth retarded children.Methods and findingsIn an international survey we obtained 18 unique national height-for-age charts from 28 European countries and compared them with charts from the World Health Organization (WHO), Euro-Growth reference, and Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As an example, we obtained height data from 3,534 children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from 13 countries via the ESPN/ERA-EDTA registry, a patient group generally suffering from growth retardation. National growth charts showed a clear secular trend in height (mean height increased on average 0.6 cm/decade) and a North-South height gradient in Europe. For countries without a recent (>1990) national growth chart novel European growth charts were constructed from Northern and Southern European reference populations, reflecting geographic height differences in mean final height of 3.9 cm in boys and 3.8 cm in girls. Mean height SDS of 2- to 17-year-old ESRD patients calculated from recent national or derived European growth charts (-1.91, 95% CI: -1.97 to -1.85) was significantly lower than when using CDC or WHO growth charts (-1.55, 95% CI: -1.61 to -1.49) (PConclusionDifferences between height-for-age charts may reflect true population differences, but are also strongly affected by the secular trend in height. The choice of reference charts substantially affects the clinical decision whether a child is considered short-for-age. Therefore, we advocate using recent national or European height-for-age charts derived from recent national data when monitoring growth of healthy and diseased European children.

BACKGROUND: Phenylketonuria (PKU) causes irreversible central nervous system damage unless a phenylalanine (PHE) restricted diet with amino acid supplementation is maintained. To prevent growth retardation, a protein/amino acid intake beyond the recommended dietary protein allowance is mandatory. However, data regarding disease and/or diet related changes in body composition are inconclusive and retarded growth and/or adiposity is still reported. The BodPod whole body air-displacement plethysmography method is a fast, safe and accurate technique to measure body composition.AIM: To gain more insight into the body composition of children with PKU.METHODS: Patients diagnosed with PKU born between 1991 and 2001 were included. Patients were identified by neonatal screening and treated in our centre. Body composition was measured using the BodPod system (Life Measurement Incorporation©). Blood PHE values determined every 1-3 months in the year preceding BodPod analysis were collected. Patients were matched for gender and age with data of healthy control subjects. Independent samples t tests, Mann-Whitney and linear regression were used for statistical analysis.RESULTS: The mean body fat percentage in patients with PKU (n = 20) was significantly higher compared to healthy controls (n = 20) (25.2% vs 18.4%; p = 0.002), especially in girls above 11 years of age (30.1% vs 21.5%; p = 0.027). Body fat percentage increased with rising body weight in patients with PKU only (R = 0.693, p = 0.001), but did not correlate with mean blood PHE level (R = 0.079, p = 0.740).CONCLUSION: Our data show a higher body fat percentage in patients with PKU, especially in girls above 11 years of age.

The ESPN/ERA–EDTA Registry collects data on European children with end-stage renal disease receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) who are listed on national and regional renal registries in Europe. In this paper we report on the analysis of demographic data collected from 2009 to 2011. Data on primary renal disease, incidence, prevalence, 4-year survival, transplantation rate and causes of death in paediatric patients receiving RRT were extracted from the ESPN/ERA–EDTA Registry for 37 European countries. The incidence of RRT in paediatric patients in Europe during the study period was 5.5 cases per million age-related population (pmarp) in patients aged 0–14 years and varied markedly between countries (interquartile range 3.4–7.0 years). The prevalence of RRT was 27.9 pmarp and increased with age, with 67 % of prevalent patients living with a functioning graft. The probability of receiving a transplant within 4 years was 76.9 % and was lowest in patients aged 0–4 years (68.9 %). Mortality in paediatric patients treated with RRT was 55-fold higher than that of the general EU paediatric population. Overall survival at 4 years was 93.7 %, with the poorest survival in patients aged 0–4 years and in patients starting on dialysis. Infections (19.9 %) were the primary cause of death in European paediatric RRT patients. Considerable variation exists in the current demographics of children treated with RRT across Europe.