Dense deposit disease in Korean children: a multicenter clinicopathologic study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Glomerular Diseases
• Renal Pathology

Background:

• Dense deposit disease (DDD) is a rare kidney disorder.
• Understanding ethnic variations in DDD presentation is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical, laboratory, and pathologic characteristics of DDD in Korean children.
• To compare these characteristics with those of American children with DDD.

Main Methods:

• A structured protocol was distributed to pediatric nephrologists in Korea.
• Data from Korean children were compared with published data on American children with DDD.
• Clinical, laboratory, light microscopy, and electron microscopy findings were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Korean children showed lower proteinuria and higher serum albumin levels than American children.
• Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis patterns were more common in Korean children (77.8%) versus American children (28.6%).
• Crescents were prevalent in American children (78.6%) but absent in Korean children; segmental electron dense deposits were more frequent in Korean children (100%).

Conclusions:

• Korean children with DDD present with milder proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia.
• Distinct histological patterns, including membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and electron dense deposit location, differentiate Korean and American pediatric DDD cases.
• These findings highlight ethnic variations in DDD pathology.