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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.
Abstract:
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common form of glomerulonephritis in pediatric population. The clinical presentation of the disease in children ranges from microscopic hematuria to end-stage kidney disease. The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess clinical and kidney biopsy features in children with IgAN. We assessed a cohort of 140 children, 88 boys, 52 girls with the diagnosis of IgAN in the period of 2000-2015, entered into the national Polish pediatric IgAN registry. The assessment included the following: proteinuria, hematuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), arterial blood pressure, and the renal pathological changes according to the Oxford classification and crescents formation, as modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors. The incidence of IgAN in Poland was set at 9.3 new cases per year. The mean age at onset of IgAN was 11.9 ± 4.3 years, and the most common presentation of the disease was the nephritic syndrome, recognized in 52 % of patients. Kidney biopsy was performed, on average, 1.3 ± 2.0 years after onset of disease. Based on the ROC analysis, a cut-off age at onset of disease for GFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (risk factor of progression) was calculated as 13.9 years. Unmodifiable lesions: segmental sclerosis, tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (S1, T1-2) in the Oxford classification and crescents in kidney biopsy were significantly more common in Gr 1 (>13.9 years) compared with Gr 2 (<13.9 years), despite a significantly shorter time to kidney biopsy in the former. We conclude that IgAN in children may be an insidious disease. A regular urine analysis, especially after respiratory tract infections, seems the best way for an early detection of the disease.
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