Comparison of darbepoetin alpha and recombinant human erythropoietin for treatment of anemia in pediatric chronic kidney disease: a non-inferiority trial from India.

To determine whether or not Darbepoetin alpha (DA) was non-inferior to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in the treatment of anemia in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3-5 (on or not on dialysis). This was a randomized, open-label, two-arm, parallel group, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial conducted at a tertiary care center in New Delhi, India. Fifty patients of either gender (aged 1-18 years) with CKD stage 3-5 (on or not on dialysis) who had baseline hemoglobin (Hb) between 9 and 12 g/dL and were on stable erythropoietin therapy for at least 8 weeks were randomized (1:1) to either continue rHuEPO or switch to DA therapy for a period of 28 weeks. Doses were titrated in the initial 23 weeks to maintain the Hb between 11 and 12 g/dL, and efficacy was assessed between weeks 24 and 28. The primary efficacy outcome was the mean change in Hb between baseline and the evaluation period. In the intention-to-treat population (n = 50), the adjusted between-group difference in mean Hb change between the baseline and the evaluation period was 0.131 g/dL (95% CI: - 0.439 to 0.719, p = 0.629). The lower limit of the two-sided 95% CI for the difference in the mean change in Hb between the two treatment groups was well above the pre-specified non-inferiority margin of - 1.0 g/dL. Similar pattern of non-inferiority was seen for per protocol population. The safety profile of DA and rHuEPO was also comparable (injection site pain:rHuEPO-3, DA-7; p-0.296).   Conclusion: DA is non-inferior to rHuEPO for the treatment of anemia of CKD (stage 3-5) in pediatric population with a comparable safety profile.   Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04959578 (retrospectively registered), Date: July 13, 2021. What is Known: • Limited studies showing darbepoetin alpha is effective in children as an erythropoiesis stimulating agent. • No RCT from Indian subcontinent addressing this topic. What is New: • Darbepoetin alpha is non inferior to recombinant human erythropoietin for treatment of anemia in children with CKD stage 3-5 (on or not on dialysis) with safety comparable to recombinant human erythropoietin. • A cost reduction of approximately 8.6% per patient by shifting to darbepoetin alpha.

Quality of life in children with nephrotic syndrome: a cross-sectional study using Hindi version of PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is the most common glomerular disorder in children. Limited studies are available on quality of life (QOL) in children with NS, especially from developing countries. The aim of the current study was to compare the QOL of children having INS with that of matched healthy controls and to evaluate the effects of sub-types on domain scores. METHODS: This single-center, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in children between 2 and 18 years with primary INS, at a tertiary care center in India, from September 2018 to November 2018. QOL data were collected using PedsQL™4.0 Generic Core Scales "Hindi-for-India" version (child self-report and parent-report). A total of 102 cases with equal number of matched healthy controls were included. RESULTS: The mean total PedsQL scores were lower in NS children compared to healthy controls (p-0.0004). They had statistically lower scores in physical (p- < 0.0001), social (p-0.026), and school domains (p- < 0.0001); however, no such difference was noted in emotional functioning. School functioning was the most impacted domain overall, and also across all the clinical types. Worst scores were seen in children with steroid-resistant NS in all domains. Older age-at-enrolment, higher number of relapses, prevalent NS, steroid-resistant disease, calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) use, and higher number of immunosuppressant use were important predictors of poor total QOL scores. On multivariable regression, higher number of immunosuppressant use (p-0.015) and older age-at-enrolment (p-0.016) were main predictors of impaired total scores. Cases with edema and current/previous CNI use were more likely to have impaired emotional (p-0.028) and social (p-0.040) domain sub-scores, respectively. CONCLUSION: NS has a significant impact on the QOL of children in different domains of functioning, based on their as well as parents' perspective. TRIAL REGISTRATION NO: EC/08/18/1414; Date: 30/08/2018.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children - Experience From a Tertiary Care Center.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety, efficacy and outcomes of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in children. METHODS: Data were retrieved from hospital records for all children £18 years who underwent TPE between August, 2011 and July, 2018. RESULTS: 46 children [median (range) age 96 (8-204) months] underwent 293 sessions of TPE by membrane plasma separation technique. Renal disease was the commonest indication (24, 52.2%) followed by neurological illnesses (17; 36.9%). 36 (78.2%) patients belonged to American Society for Apheresis category I. Overall, the most common indication was atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) (16; 34.8%). Fresh frozen plasma plus albumin was used as replacement fluid in aHUS, while albumin was used in others. 40 (86.9%) patients had complete/partial recovery while six did not show any sign of recovery. Complications were seen in 21 (7.1%) sessions; majority of which were minor in the form of blood pressure fluctuations. CONCLUSION: TPE can be performed safely and effectively for renal and non-renal indications, even in small children.

Genetic Testing in Pediatric Kidney Disease.

The advent of next gene sequencing technology has led to the publication of a profusion of papers on monogenic contributions to pediatric kidney disorders. It started with the discovery of mutations in the podocin gene in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). It is realized now that genetic disorders contribute to about 30% of chronic renal diseases in children, and significantly to many other kidney disorders. This paper covers briefly the new genetic technologies, the benefits of genetic testing, and the indication for genetic testing in various kidney disorders. It covers SRNS, congenital anomalies of the kidney, cystic kidney disease, tubulopathies, nephronophthisis, Fabry disease, Alport and Lowe syndrome. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, renal tubular acidosis and nephrolithiasis are also covered briefly. It is hoped that this paper will encourage the pediatricians to investigate monogenic disorders of the kidney as it helps in their proper classification, informs prognosis, suggests specific treatment and aids in genetic and reproductive counseling.

Clinical and Immunological Profile of Anti-factor H Antibody Associated Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Nationwide Database.

Background: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), an important cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), is characterized by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. Autoantibodies to factor H (FH), a chief regulator of this pathway, account for a distinct subgroup. While high anti-FH titers predict relapse, they do not correlate well with disease activity and their functional characterization is required. Methods: Of 781 patients <18-year-old of aHUS in the nationwide database from 2007 to 2018, 436 (55.8%) had anti-FH antibodies. Clinical features and outcome of patients managed in the last 6-year (n = 317) were compared to before (n = 119). In plasma samples of 44 patients, levels of serial circulating FH immune complexes (CIC), free FH, soluble terminal complement complex (sC5b-9), sheep red blood cell (SRBC) lysis and epitope specificity (n = 8) were examined. Functional renal reserve, ambulatory hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and proteinuria were evaluated in a subset. Results: Patients presented with markedly elevated anti-FH titers (10,633.2 ± 998.5 AU/ml). Management varied by center, comprising plasma exchange (PEX; 77.5%) and immunosuppression (73.9%). Patients managed in the last 6-year showed better renal survival at mean 28.5 ± 27.3 months (log rank P = 0.022). Mean anti-FH titers stayed 700-1,164 AU/ml during prolonged follow-up, correlating with CIC. Patients with relapse had lower free-FH during remission [Generalized estimating equations (GEE), P = 0.001]; anti-FH levels ≥1,330 AU/ml and free FH ≤440 mg/l predicted relapse (hazards ratio, HR 6.3; P = 0.018). Epitope specificity was similar during onset, remission and relapse. Antibody titer ≥8,000 AU/ml (HR 2.23; P = 0.024), time to PEX ≥14 days (HR 2.09; P = 0.071) and PEX for <14 days (HR 2.60; P = 0.017) predicted adverse renal outcomes. Combined PEX and immunosuppression improved long-term outcomes (HR 0.37; P = 0.026); maintenance therapy reduced risk of relapses (HR 0.11; P < 0.001). At 4.4±2.5 year, median renal reserve was 15.9%; severe ambulatory, masked and pre-hypertension were found in 38, 30, and 18%, respectively. Proteinuria and LVH occurred in 58 and 28% patients, respectively. Conclusion: Prompt recognition and therapy with PEX and immunosuppression, is associated with satisfactory outcomes. Free-FH predicts early relapses in patients with high anti-FH titers. A significant proportion of impaired functional reserve, ambulatory hypertension, proteinuria and LVH highlight the need for vigilant long-term follow-up.

Expanding the Phenotype of the Founder South Asian Mutation in the Nuclear Encoding Mitochondrial RMND1 Gene.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial disorders have a wide variability in the phenotype. A 10-mo-old girl presented with a severe phenotype of multisystem involvement due to an uncommon mitochondrial disease. Mutations in the RMND1 gene of nuclear DNA were identified on next generation sequencing. This mutation results in combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency -11 (OMIM #614922) of the respiratory chain complex. So far in South Asia, patients of this disorder have been reported only from Pakistan and Bangladesh. RESULTS: In addition to the features reported in other patients of South Asia with the same mutation at c.1349G>C, index patient from India had hyperaldosteronism, long QT interval but no deafness. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, to conclude, this report emphasizes the diagnostic value of FGF21 assay in this disorder. It extends the phenotype associated with the founder mutation in RMND1 gene in patients from South Asia.

Continuous renal replacement therapy in children with severe sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction - A pilot study on timing of initiation.

OBJECTIVE: Scanty literature is available regarding continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) utility in severe sepsis with multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) from developing countries. Author unit's experience in pediatric CRRT is described and outcome of early initiation of CRRT with sepsis and MODS is assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged <16 years with sepsis and MODS who required CRRT from September 2010 to February 2015 were analyzed on demographic factors, timing of initiation of CRRT, mode of CRRT, effect of CRRT onhemodynamics, oxygenation parameters, and outcome. RESULTS: Twenty-seven children required CRRT (male - 16). The median age was 11 years (range 1.1-16). Twenty-one had severe sepsis with MODS. Eighteen patients were given CRRT within 48 h of admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Statistically significant improvement in the P/F ratio, decrement in plateau pressure and vasoactive-inotropic score were noted in survivor group compared to nonsurvivor group (P = 0.022, 0.00, and 0.03, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in duration of ICU stay, fluid overload, CRRT duration, PRISM score at 12 and 24 h, percentage of decrease in inotrope score, plateau pressure, and percentage of increase in P/F ratio in relation to timing of CRRT initiation. However, the survival rate was 61.1% (11/18) who received CRRT within 48 h of ICU admission compared to 33.3% (3/9) who received after 48 h (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our study emphasizes the CRRT role in improving the oxygenation status and hemodynamics. Survival benefit may be expected in those children who receive CRRT early in the course of sepsis. However, multicenter RCTs are required to prove mortality benefit.

Prompt plasma exchanges and immunosuppressive treatment improves the outcomes of anti-factor H autoantibody-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome in children.

Antibodies to complement factor H are an uncommon cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Information on clinical features and outcomes in children is limited. In order to explore this we studied a multicenter cohort of 138 Indian children with anti-complement factor H antibody associated HUS, constituting 56% of patients with HUS. Antibody titers were high (mean 7054 AU/ml) and correlated inversely with levels of complement C3, but not complement factor H. Homozygous deletion of the CFHR1 gene was found in 60 of 68 patients. Therapies included dialysis in 119 children, 105 receiving plasma exchanges and 26 intravenous immunoglobulin. Induction immunosuppression consisted of 87 children receiving prednisolone with or without intravenous cyclophosphamide or rituximab. Antibody titers fell significantly following plasma exchanges and increased during relapses. Adverse outcome (stage 4-5 CKD or death) was seen in 36 at 3 months and 41 by last follow up, with relapse in 14 of 122 available children. Significant independent risk factors for adverse outcome were an antibody titer over 8000 AU/ml, low C3 and delay in plasma exchange. Combined plasma exchanges and induction immunosuppression resulted in significantly improved renal survival: one adverse outcome prevented for every 2.6 patients treated. Maintenance immunosuppressive therapy, of prednisolone with either mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine, significantly reduced the risk of relapses. Thus, prompt use of immunosuppressive agents and plasma exchanges are useful for improving outcomes in pediatric patients with anti-complement factor H-associated HUS.