Name the 4 different types of renal replacement therapy
1) Peritoneal dialysis
2) Haemodialysis
3) Continuous renal replacement therapy = continuous haemodiafiltration
4) Renal transplant
When would peritoneal dialysis be considered?
For infants and young children
No vascular access needed
Gentle haemodynamic shifts
What are the indications for renal replacement therapy?
Acute:
Acidosis
Electrolyte imbalance (hyperkalaemia)
Intoxication
Overload
Uraemia (encephalopathy, pericarditis, bleeding)
Chronic:
ESKD (end stage kidney disease)
Symptomatic uraemia
Growth failure
Name 3 signs of steroid overuse
Skin atrophy
Striae
Cushingoid features: moon face, truncal obesity, buffalo hump
Growth suppression
Proximal myopathy
Recurrent/severe infections
An oblique scar below the ribs on the lateral aspect of the abdomen. What is this scar and its indications?
Flank/loin scar
Indications:
- Nephrectomy
- Pyeloplasty
- Open renal surgery
A suprapubic transverse scar. What is the name of this scar and its indications?
Lower abdominal scar/pfannenstiel
Indications:
Renal transplant (recipient incision)
Bladder surgery
Oblique or transverse scar over RIF.
Name of scar and indications.
Right iliac fossa scar
Indications:
Renal transplant
Differentiate from appendicectomy by context and palpable kidney
Midline scar from epigastric to umbilical region.
Name scar and indications.
Upper abdominal midline scar
Indications:
Major abdominal surgery
Rarely renal tumour surgery e.g. Wilms tumour extension
If renal transplant suspected, what else would you like to know?
Check BP - HTN
Ask about urine output and if reduced
Ask about immunosuppression adherence (tacrolimus levels)
Assess for graft tenderness
Rising creatinine
What are the complication of a renal transplant?
Can be classified into early, intermediate and late
Early:
- Surgical: bleeding/haematoma, vascular thrombosis
- Delayed graft function
- Infection
Intermediate (1-6 months):
- Acute rejection (rising creatinine, reduced UO, graft tenderness, fever)
- Infection: CMV, EBV - PTLD (post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder), BK virus nephropathy
Late (> 6 months):
- Chronic rejection
- Infection
- HTN
- Diabetes mellitus
2 year old boy presents with macroglossia, ear lobe creases, a scar over his umbilicus and has hepatosplenomegaly. He had a history of neonatal hypoglycaemia. What is the diagnosis, differentials and management?
Dx: Beckwith Wiedemann syndrome
DDx:
Sotos syndrome
Weaver syndrome
MPS
Congenital hypothyroidism
Mx:
Medical
- Tumour screening: abdominal US every 3 months until 8 years; AFP every 3 months until 4 years (increased risk of embryonal tumours e.g. Wilms tumour, hepatoblastoma, neuroblastoma) - tumour risk decreases with age
- General paediatrician
- Paediatric surgery: omphalocoele
- Community paediatrician
- Clinical geneticist
PT/OT
EHCP - SENCO
Name 3 causes of a renal mass
Malignant:
- Wilm’s tumour (2-5 years) - painless abdominal mass w/ haematuria, HTN
- Renal cell carcinoma
Cystic renal disease:
- Multicystic dysplastic kidney
- AD or AR polycystic kidney disease
Obstructive/hydronephrosis
- PUJ obstruction
- Posterior urethral valves
Infective/inflammatory
Traumatic:
- Renal haematoma
Renal transplant
What syndrome is associated with Wilms tumour?
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
WAGR syndrome (Wilms, Aniridia, genitourinary anomalies, developmental delay)
Name 3 causes of microscopic haematuria
Glomerular cause:
- IgA nephropathy/HSP
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Alport syndrome
Urological cause:
- UTI
- Kidney stones
- Trauma
Benign causes:
- Exercise-induced
- Febrile illness
What would indicate a glomerular cause of microscopic haematuria?
Proteinuria
HTN
Red cell casts
Dysmorphic RBCs
Oedema
What investigations would you send if microscopic haematuria was present?
Repeat urine dipstick
Urine microscopy
Urine protein:creatinine ratio
BP
Renal function
Name 3 causes of macroscopic haematuria
Glomerular causes:
Inflammatory/immune
- Post-streptoccocal glomerulonephritis
- IgA nephropathy
- HSP (IgA vasculitis)
Hereditary:
- Alport syndrome
Non-glomerular causes:
- Infection: UTI/pyelonephritis
- Stones
Structural/obstructive:
- Hydronephrosis
- PUJ obstruction
Tumour:
Wilms tumour
Trauma
Coagulation disorders
In the context of macroscopic haematuria, what clinical signs would indicate a glomerular cause?
Cola-coloured urine
Proteinuria
HTN
Oedema
Red cell cases
What investigations would you do for macroscopic haematuria?
Urine dipstick + microscopy
BP
U&E
Urine PCR
US KUB
How would you perform a nutritional assessment?
Anthropometry: weight, height/length, BMI (2 or older), head circumference (< 2y)
Mid-arm circumference (muscle mass)
Triceps skin-fold thickness (subcutaneous)
Dietary intake: meal pattern; 24 hour dietary recall
Clinical examination
Medical history: chronic disease, medications, recurrent infections, developmental delay
Social history: food insecurity, cultural practices
Bloods:
- FBC, Iron studies, vitamin D, U&E, LFTs, coeliac screen, inflammatory markers
Functional assessment
A 3 year old boy presents with puffiness to his ankles and frothy urine. He has protein ++++ on dipstick with low albumin. Diagnosis, differentials and management?
Nephrotic syndrome
DDx:
Primary cause:
- Minimal change disease (most common)
- FSGS = focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Secondary cause:
- Infection (hepatitis)
- SLE
- Drugs (NSAIDs)
Mx
- Bedside Ix: urine dipstick, urine protein:creatinine ratio
- Bloods: low albumin, raised cholesterol
Medical:
- PO prednislone - if responds well, good prognosis; if resistant: higher CKD risk
- Salt restriction
- Fluid management
Follow-up:
- Urine dipsticks at home
- Monitor growth and BP
- Steroid side effects
- Vaccination (pneumococcal)
What are the complications of nephrotic syndrome?
Infection: SBP
Thrombosis: Renal vein thrombosis
AKI
Hyperlipidaemia
What are some relapse triggers for nephrotic syndrome?
Viral infections
Non-adherence
Immunisations
Why are children with nephrotic syndrome at an increased risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?
Loss of immune proteins in the urine and ascites acting as a culture medium