Nephrocalcinosis in children who received high-dose vitamin D.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D supplements are readily available as over-the-counter preparations. However, although rare, cases of vitamin D overdose still occur and are associated with nephrocalcinosis and life-threatening hypercalcemia. Errors in manufacturing of nutritional supplements may be a cause of vitamin D intoxication in children. This study aimed to identify factors associated with vitamin D overdose-related nephrocalcinosis in children due to manufacturing errors in supplements. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed medical charts of pediatric patients with non-registered supplement-related vitamin D overdose at a tertiary referral hospital between 2006 and 2011. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with or without nephrocalcinosis were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristics curve and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve were used to determine the most predictive value of each characteristic. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients (males: 29; age: 7-62 months) were included. Age ≤ 16.5 months, body weight ≤ 10.25 kg, body height ≤ 78.5 cm, body surface area (BSA) ≤ 0.475 m2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 ≥ 143 ng/mL, and calcium ≥ 10.65 mg/dL were predictive of developing nephrocalcinosis with a sensitivity and specificity of > 60%. Univariant analysis revealed that BSA was the most significant anthropometric prognostic factor (odds ratio: 12.09; 95% confidence interval: 2.61-55.72; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Children with smaller BSAs were more vulnerable to high-dose vitamin D3-related nephrocalcinosis. Physicians and parents should be aware of the potential adverse effects of vitamin D overdose in children. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Titanium Dioxide in Toothpaste Causing Yellow Nail Syndrome.

Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is an uncommon disorder, the classic triad of which consists of yellow nails, lymphedema, and respiratory symptoms. Few pediatric cases have been reported. We report a 9-year-old girl with yellowish nail discoloration for 1 year accompanied by respiratory symptoms, including chronic cough, recurrent pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and chronic sinusitis. The patient was diagnosed with YNS. Knowing that a relationship between YNS and titanium has been reported, we collected her nail clippings and detected titanium in them by energy dispersive radiograph fluorescence. This patient's titanium exposure may have come from her habit of swallowing children's toothpaste. With meticulous avoidance of swallowing toothpaste, she had amelioration of her yellow nail discoloration as well as diminution of her respiratory symptoms. We reevaluated her nail clippings for titanium 3 years later, and no titanium was detected. This observation suggests that avoiding titanium exposure could alleviate the symptoms of YNS. This is the first report of YNS in a pediatric patient that demonstrates a relationship between YNS and titanium. We review the previous reports of pediatric patients with YNS.

Segmental multicystic dysplastic kidney in children: clinical presentation, imaging finding, management, and outcome.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the presentation, imaging findings, management, and outcome of segmental multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients with segmental MCDK were diagnosed and observed at our hospital. We reviewed the medical records to collect data on initial symptoms, results of imaging studies, associated urinary tract anomalies, operation, and outcome. RESULTS: Three patients had abnormal prenatal ultrasound and were diagnosed by further postnatal imaging; they were asymptomatic after birth. The other 3 children presented with a renal mass, recurrent urinary tract infection, or urinary incontinence. Five patients had associated ipsilateral or contralateral urinary tract abnormalities, including vesicoureteral reflux, ureterocele, duplex collecting system, ureteropelvic junction stenosis, and ectopic ureter. Lower tract reconstruction was performed in 3, and open biopsy was done in 1 child. None underwent partial or total nephrectomy, and all had involution of the cysts for a mean of 40 months. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the cases occur in the upper pole of a duplex kidney and often involute spontaneously without significant complication. The clinical presentation and imaging findings depend on the associated anomalies and complications. Although the latter may require surgery to resolve, segmental MCDK itself rarely requires resection.

Paecilomyces lilacinus peritonitis complicating peritoneal dialysis cured by oral voriconazole and terbinafine combination therapy.

Fungal peritonitis (FP) is a serious complication in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We report a case of CAPD-related FP caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus in a 15-year-old uraemic boy. The infection was successfully treated by combination therapy consisting of oral voriconazole and terbinafine, which has not been previously reported in the treatment of FP.