Pediatric nephrology : journal of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association
-
Renovascular hypertension (RVH) can be caused by many different diseases, with the most common being fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and Takayasu arteritis (TA). A strikingly different diagnostic pattern is seen in children with RVH from different parts of the world. ⋯ Different ways to come to the most accurate diagnosis using imaging of the blood vessel wall and positron emission tomography (PET) will be discussed. How an accurate diagnosis should influence the treatment of the children with these conditions will also be addressed.
-
The key to accurate decision-making is to use the best available evidence. Systematic reviews aim to identify and combine evidence using systematic methods to minimize bias to provide reliable data for patient care. While systematic reviews can address different clinical questions, the methodology is most developed for systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials. ⋯ Biases in systematic review include those related to identifying data (publication bias, language bias, selective reporting of outcomes) and those due to the design and conduct of trials (selection bias, performance bias, detection bias, attrition bias). Thus, readers should read a systematic review carefully before accepting its results and conclusions. This review examines the information that can be provided by systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials together with the biases that can potentially jeopardize the results and conclusions.
-
The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its relation to risk factors, particularly hypertension in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). ⋯ These results provide additional evidence for the presence of subclinical CVD and its relation to hypertension in juvenile-onset SLE. They also indicate a significant relation between LVH and increased arterial stiffness. It is also important to note that our findings reveal significant relationships between ambulatory BP and cardiovascular changes and underline the importance of ABPM to predict CVD.
-
Rituximab (RTX) is a promising option for treating childhood-onset steroid-dependent (SDNS), frequently relapsing (FRNS), and steroid-resistant (SRNS) nephrotic syndrome. ⋯ Although this was a multi-center survey where treatment of nephrotic syndrome varied between centers, the steroid-sparing effect of RTX in SDNS/FRNS was excellent. If single administration of RTX is chosen, continuation of immunosuppressive agents is recommended for prevention of relapse.