[Acute focal bacterial nephritis in childhood]

The clinical findings and sonographic observations in four patients with AFBN in childhood are described. AFBN in childhood is an acute interstitial nephritis presenting with septicaemia. The patients show a rapid deterioration of condition, weight loss, flank pain and often leucocyturia without detection of bacteria. The diagnosis is confirmed by renal sonography, showing typical focal alterations. Sonographic follow-up is important to prove the diagnosis. Even without detection of bacteria intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy is required. The antibiotic should be active against gram-negative organisms and Staphylococci. Medication should be given for 2-3 weeks. After adequate treatment the clinical condition will improve within a few days whereas sonographic alterations return to normal after 2-4 weeks. In childhood, a bacterial infection of other organs preceding AFBN is more common than anomalies of the urinary tract as predisposing factors. Therefore in most cases a hemotogenous infection must be presumed and its focus discovered and eliminated by appropriate antibiotics since otherwise AFBN may recur.