IgA Nephropathy in Children: A Multicenter Study in Poland

M Mizerska-Wasiak1, A Turczyn2, A Such2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Warsaw, 63A Zwirki i Wigury Street, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland. wasiaczki@wp.pl.

Insights

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common kidney disease in children. Early detection through regular urine tests, especially after infections, is crucial for identifying this insidious condition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Glomerulonephritis Research
  • Renal Pathology

Background:

  • IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most frequent glomerulonephritis in children.
  • Disease presentation varies from microscopic hematuria to end-stage kidney disease.
  • Understanding pediatric IgAN clinical and pathological features is vital for prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively analyze clinical and kidney biopsy data in pediatric IgAN patients.
  • To identify risk factors and disease progression markers in children with IgAN.
  • To establish the incidence and characteristics of IgAN in the Polish pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective assessment of 140 pediatric IgAN patients (2000-2015) from a national registry.
  • Analysis included proteinuria, hematuria, GFR, blood pressure, and Oxford classification/crescent scores.
  • ROC analysis determined age cut-off for GFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m² (13.9 years).

Main Results:

  • Incidence of IgAN in Poland: 9.3 new cases/year.
  • Mean age at onset: 11.9 years; nephritic syndrome in 52% of patients.
  • Older age at onset (>13.9 years) correlated with more severe pathological lesions (S1, T1-2, crescents) despite shorter time to biopsy.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric IgA nephropathy can present insidiously.
  • Early detection via regular urinalysis, particularly post-respiratory infection, is recommended.
  • Age at onset is a significant factor associated with disease severity in children.

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