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An 11-month-old with anti-glomerular basement membrane disease
S A Bigler1, W M Parry, D S Fitzwater
1Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505, USA.
Insights
Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease, a rare autoimmune condition, was diagnosed in an 11-month-old infant. This case highlights the importance of considering this disease in infants with acute kidney injury.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibody disease is a rare autoimmune disorder.
- It is exceptionally uncommon in pediatric populations, with no prior cases reported in infants under 2.5 years.
Observation:
- A case of an 11-month-old infant girl diagnosed with anti-GBM antibody disease is presented.
- The infant experienced rapid progression to end-stage renal disease, necessitating renal transplantation.
Findings:
- This report details the youngest patient ever documented with anti-GBM antibody disease.
- Diagnostic indicators include a characteristic linear Immunoglobulin (IgG) pattern on immunofluorescence and confirmed by serologic antibody titers.
Implications:
- The findings challenge the notion that anti-GBM disease does not occur in infants.
- Pediatricians and nephrologists should consider anti-GBM disease in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure and glomerulonephritis in infants.
- Early consideration and diagnosis are crucial for potential intervention and management in affected infants.
Abstract:
Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease is an autoimmune disease that has rarely been described in children, and no cases have previously been described in a patient younger than 2.5 years of age. We report an 11-month-old infant girl who developed anti-glomerular basement membrane disease and progressed to end-stage renal disease and eventual renal transplantation. Although it has been suggested that this disease does not occur in infants, the possibility of anti-glomerular basement membrane disease must be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure and glomerulonephritis in an infant. The characteristic linear pattern of immunofluorescent studies for Immunoglobulin (Ig) G is important in suggesting the diagnosis, which can be confirmed by serologic testing for antibody titers.