[Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU syndrome) in childhood]

During the last two years we have observed three children, aged 12-15 years, who developed acute non-oliguric renal failure with concomitant uveitis. Acute interstitial nephritis with lympho-monocytic infiltrates was diagnosed in all cases by renal biopsy. While two patients went into spontaneous remission, renal function in the remaining child improved only after treatment with oral prednisone. Withdrawal of steroid medication was promptly followed by a relapse, necessitating steroid therapy for a total of 4 months. The clinical and histological findings were consonant with the so-called TINU syndrome. While the pathogenesis of this syndrome is unclear, the prognosis seems to be favorable and most cases resolve spontaneously. However, in some cases, prolonged therapy with corticosteroids may be required.