Occurrence of Vibrio spp. in fish and shellfish collected from the Swiss market.

The genus Vibrio includes gram-negative bacteria that inhabit estuarine ecosystems. V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus pose a considerable public health threat as agents of sporadic and epidemic foodborne infections associated with the consumption of raw or undercooked contaminated fish or shellfish. In this study, we analyzed 138 fish and shellfish samples collected from the Swiss market (fish fillets [n = 102], bivalves [n = 34], and squid [n = 2]). Microbiological analysis was done according to International Organization for Standardization method 21872-1/21872-2:2007, using thiosulfate citrate bile sucrose agar and chromID Vibrio agar as selective agar. Presumptive-positive colonies on thiosulfate citrate bile sucrose agar or chromID Vibrio agar were picked and were identified by the API 20E and species-specific PCR systems. V. cholerae isolates were tested further by PCR for the presence of the cholera toxin A subunit gene (ctxA). V. parahaemolyticus isolates were tested by PCR for genes encoding for thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) and TDH-related hemolysin (trh). V. cholerae was isolated from three samples and V. parahaemolyticus from eight samples. None of these strains harbored species-specific virulence factors. Further, V. alginolyticus was isolated from 40 samples, and V. fluvialis was isolated from 1 sample. Our study provides, for the first time, data for the assessment of exposure to Vibrio spp. in raw fish and bivalves consumed in Switzerland.

Complement analysis in children with idiopathic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis: a long-term follow-up.

Fifty children with idiopathic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), aged 2-14 years at apparent onset, were monitored for the presence of C3 nephritic factor (C3 NeF) and signs of complement activation in serum. In addition, C3 allotyping was performed in 32 patients. Observation time ranged from 2 to 20 (median 11) years. C3 NeF activity was detected at least once in 60% of the patients (in 11 of 26 with type I, in 15 of 17 with type II, and in four of seven with type III). C3 NeF-positive patients had significantly reduced levels of CH50 and C3 and elevated levels of C3dg/C3d. During follow-up, C3 levels were persistently normal in 62% of the patients with MPGN type I and in 43% with type III but in only 18% with type II. C3 allotype frequencies differed from those found in healthy controls with a significant shift to the C3F/C3FS variants in C3 NeF-positive patients. C3b(Bb)P as a marker for alternative pathway activation was not increased in C3 NeF-positive patients. Despite the presence of C3 NeF activity, C3 levels remained normal in six patients throughout the observation period. C3 NeF became undetectable in six patients, whereas seven developed C3 NeF activity during follow-up. There was no significant difference in renal survival probability in patients with or without C3 NeF activity. Neither C3 variants nor continuous low C3 or low CH50 levels had any prognostic value for the clinical outcome. No factor H deficiency was detected.

Lithiated 4-isopropyl-3-(methylthiomethyl)-5,5-diphenyloxazolidin-2-one: a chiral formyl anion equivalent for enantioselective preparations of 1,2-diols, 2-amino alcohols, 2-hydroxy esters, and 4-hydroxy-2-alkenoates.

The heterocyclic compound specified in the title (and readily prepared from commercial precursors) has a sterically protected C==O group, so that direct lithiation by BuLi at the exocyclic CH(2) group is possible (3 --> Li-3). The lithiated N,S-acetal derivative (Li-3) adds diastereoselectively to aldehydes (Table 2), unsymmetrical ketones (Table 3), chalcone (1,4-addition, Scheme 2), and N-phosphinoyl- and N-sulfonylimines (Table 4). Protection of the newly formed OH groups (Scheme 3) and/or MeS/OH displacement by Hg(O(2)CCF(3))(2) in aqueous THF/acetonitrile converts the N,S-acetals into hemiaminals (--> 20) which, in turn, are readily cleaved to aldehydes, with recovery of the chiral auxiliary (1, Scheme 4). The aldehydes (especially those lacking alpha-carbonyl hydrogens) may be isolated, or they are trapped in situ by reduction to (selectively protected) diols or amino alcohols, by addition of Grignard or Li reagents, which provides diols with two stereogenic centers, by oxidation to give 2-hydroxy esters, or by olefination to provide 4-hydroxy-2-alkenoates (Scheme 5). The scope and limitations of the new, overall enantioselective transformation are determined, and the readily recovered chiral auxiliary used is compared with oxazolidinones of other substitution patterns (Scheme 7). The configuration of a number of products has been assigned by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (cf. Figure 5). These structures and similarities of NMR data led to configurational assignment of the other products (see formulas in the schemes and tables) by analogy. A simple mechanistic model for the stereochemical course of the addition of Li-3 to aldehydes and ketones is presented (Figure 6).

Effect of ramipril on ambulatory blood pressure and albuminuria in renal hypertension.

Inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) exerts a renoprotective effect in adult patients with chronic kidney disease. We evaluated prospectively changes in blood pressure (BP), protein excretion and renal function after administration of the long-acting ACE inhibitor ramipril as monotherapy during 6 months in 14 moderately hypertensive children aged 5-18 years with various nephropathies. Four patients initially had a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2). BP was evaluated by ambulatory 24-h monitoring. After 2 weeks of treatment by oral ramipril (1.5 mg/m2 once daily), mean values of systolic and diastolic 24-h ambulatory BP fell by more than 5 mmHg in nine patients. In eight patients the dose was doubled. At the end of the study systolic BP was below the 95th percentile in 9 and diastolic BP in 13 patients. The initially reduced nocturnal dip increased significantly. Of 11 patients with an increased albumin excretion (median 1.3 g/g creatinine), 6 responded to ramipril by a median reduction of 78% (range 24-83%), whilst in 5 albuminuria increased (median +19%). GFR was well preserved and no other adverse effects from the drug were noted. The study demonstrates that ramipril is an efficacious antihypertensive agent in children with renal hypertension. It is well tolerated, even in mild renal insufficiency. In addition, the drug has a persistent antiproteinuric action in about half of the patients contributing to conserve renal function.

Assessment of body composition in children with chronic renal failure.

In children with chronic renal failure treated conservatively by dialysis or by transplantation, various alterations of the nutritional, metabolic and fluid homeostasis may occur that may critically affect the patients' acute and chronic well-being. In the past, the assessment of body composition in children was hampered by insufficient precision, standardization and/or availability of appropriate anthropometric tools. Recently, there have been several methodological advances that may facilitate close and precise monitoring of body composition in this population. Specifically, the use of body mass index (BMI) data in children has become possible by the introduction of pediatric reference values processed for the calculation of standard deviation scores accounting for the skewed distribution of BMI. Skewness-adapted reference data have also been provided for percentage fat mass as assessed by multisite skinfold measurements. In addition, bioelectrical impedance analysis has been validated in healthy children as well as in pediatric dialysis and renal transplant populations. This novel auxological technique provides a highly reproducible, non-invasive and inexpensive way of assessing changes in total body water content in dialysed patients, as well as changes in fat and fat-free mass prior to dialysis and after renal transplantation.

Experience with deflazacort in children and adolescents after renal transplantation.

Deflazacort (DFZ) has been proposed as an alternative drug for immunosuppression after renal transplantation (TX), with fewer side effects than conventional glucocorticoids. We investigated renal function, body growth, body fat, and bone mineral density (BMD) after switching from oral methylprednisolone (MPR) to equivalent doses of DFZ 1-9 years after TX in 20 patients aged 5-20 years, selected because of severe adverse effects from previous steroid therapy. At conversion the patients received a mean dose of 7.4 +/- 2.4 mg DFZ/m2 per day. The drug was continued for a mean of 3.7 (1.2-5.5) years. Under DFZ, the glomerular filtration rate dropped slightly (NS). A single rejection episode occurred. Growth velocity significantly improved in the 1st year on DFZ treatment and height standard deviation score (SDS) increased steadily after introduction of DFZ (from -2.64 to -1.96 after 4 years, P = 0.06). However, in 10 prepubertal children the height gain (+0.20 SDS in 2 years on DFZ) was not significant and the overall mean annual growth rate after TX was similar to that in 10 matched prepubertal TX children on continued MPR treatment. Relative obesity, estimated from mean body mass index corrected for height, was reduced from +1.11 SDS at the start of DFZ to +0.71 SDS after 2 years (P = 0.03) and to +0.39 SDS after 4 years (NS). BMD-SDS of the lumbar spine (L2-4) increased after 1 year on DFZ (P = 0.005). In conclusion, DFZ is well tolerated and safe in pediatric patients after TX. It improves relative obesity and bone mineralization. However, body growth is not significantly influenced pre puberty.

Admission: a crucial point in relationship building between parents and staff in child psychiatric units.

The admission of a child to a psychiatric unit is difficult for parents. While many articles about admissions can be discovered in the literature, few address the process of admission. A grounded theory study was undertaken to describe and explain the relationships that develop between parents and nurses in child psychiatric units. The crucial nature of the admission process was discovered and is the focus of this article. Theoretical sampling was used. Data were collected by interviewing parents and the nursing staff working with the parents. In addition, participant observation was used. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Parents often came to the unit expecting to be blamed for their child's problems. When nurses responded with reassurance and caring, the parents' engagement was enhanced. During admission, expectations of parents and nurses influenced the relationship. In addition, the study discovered ways that nursing routines influence the relationship during the admission period.

Clinical outcome of Schönlein-Henoch purpura nephritis in children.

We studied the long-term outcome of 64 children with biopsy-proven Schönlein-Henoch purpura (SHP) nephritis over 1-23 years of follow-up. Overall renal survival 10 years after onset was 73%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified initial renal insufficiency (P=0.004), nephrotic syndrome (P=0.037), and the severity of histological alterations, as defined by the proportion of glomerular crescents (P=0.051), as significant independent predictors of progressive renal failure. Four patients followed for more than 19 years showed glomerular damage after transient recovery. Eight children with crescentic nephritis associated with a rapidly progressive course and/or persistent nephrotic syndrome were treated by at least seven sessions of plasma exchange (PE) within 16 weeks of onset of purpura. During treatment serum creatinine levels dropped in each patient from a mean of 2.3 to 1.1 mg/dl, followed by a rebound increase. Repeated courses of PE in 5 patients produced comparable responses. Four patients undergoing PE reached end-stage renal disease at 1.2.-3.7 years after onset, whilst 3 finally were in preterminal renal failure (creatinine 3.2-6.1 mg/dl after 7-13.5 years), and 1 patient reached a normal glomerular filtration rate. Our experience suggests that initial renal insufficiency is the best single predictor of the further clinical course in children with SHP nephritis. Early PE appears to delay the progression in some patients with severe, rapidly progressive forms of the disease.

Body growth of children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

Whilst it is assumed that body growth is retarded in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (NS), the degree of growth failure and the pathomechanisms involved are poorly understood. We collected serial growth data in 45 children (24 males) with steroid-resistant NS usually from onset to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during childhood (n=10) or until final height was attained (n=27). Mean follow-up time was 9 (2-19) years. Mean initial standardized height was -0.3+/-1.2 standard deviation scores (SDS). Mean final height was +0.4 SDS in males and -1.0 SDS in females (sex difference not significant). In 16 patients with serum creatinine levels consistently <1.2 mg/dl, mean final height SDS was 0.3 SDS higher than that obtained within 6 months of onset. In contrast, 9 children who entered ESRD lost an average of 1.3 SDS from the initial record to ESRD (P=0.017). In prepubertal patients without renal insufficiency, mean height SDS decreased during corticosteroid treatment by 0.3 SDS, followed by a partial catch-up after discontinuation of treatment; the change from initial to final height SDS was inversely correlated with the total prednisone dose given (r=-0.50, P=0.03). In 16 prepubertal children with serial height and serum protein measurements who were off steroids and maintained normal creatinine levels, mean individual albumin concentrations correlated with the change in height SDS per year (r=0.65, P=0.0006) and in boys with final height (r=0.73, P=0.03). In conclusion, growth in steroid-resistant NS depends on the preservation of renal function, the cumulative dose of steroids applied, and the severity of hypoproteinemia.

Cardiac function and structure in patients with chronic renal failure.

The long-term consequences of cardiac alterations in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) and after renal transplantation (TX) are largely unknown. Studies in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) assume that the fate of many pediatric patients is determined by a high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This review describes clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, cardiac function and structure, and management of heart disease in children with CRF and post transplant. Echocardiography and Doppler ultrasonography allow differentiation of three functional disturbances: hypercirculation, systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and diastolic LV dysfunction, in addition to analysis of LV size and myocardial mass. From adult studies LV hypertrophy is recognized as an early prognostic marker of cardiovascular disease. It is present in about half of children with ESRD and after TX. It may regress, at least in part, by control of hypertension, hypervolemia, and anemia. Experimental studies have shown that, independent of these hemodynamic complications, uremia is associated with structural abnormalities of the heart, which were also described in adult patients with ESRD. These lesions consist mainly of hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes, interstitial fibrosis, and vascular changes (rarefied capillaries, thickened arteriolar walls). Cardiac complications in children with CRF and after TX deserve regular clinical and echocardiographic monitoring in order to minimize later cardiovascular morbidity by appropriate treatment.

[Blood pressure, functional and morphological study of kidneys in children with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease]. / Krevní tlak, funkcní a morfologické vysetrení ledvin u detí s autozomálne dominantním polycystickým onemocnením ledvin.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is one of the most common inherited disorders with a prevalence of 1:1000 and is responsible for cca 10% of end-stage renal disease in adult patients. Renal insufficiency is a rare symptom of ADPKD in children, however, there are some symptoms, which can occur already in childhood. The aim of this study was to detect early signs of renal damage and to reveal the blood pressure profile in children with ADPKD using ABPM (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring). METHODS AND RESULTS: 32 children (aged 3.4-19.4 years, mean age 12.3)-carriers of PKD-gene with normal GFR, diagnosed on the basis of a positive family history and characteristic ultrasound features, and in 21 cases also indirect DNA analysis revealed positive results. 11/32 children (34%) presented arterial hypertension detected by ABPM (values higher than 95th centile of normal individuals). The mean of ABPM values of all patients was significantly higher than normal children (p < 0.01), 76% patients had values above the 50th centile. Signs of renal damage (proteinuria, microalbuminuria, decreased renal concentrating capacity, pathological excretion of tubular markers) were found in 22-64% of investigated children. Significantly higher renal volume and renal length were found in more than 1/3 of the children, renal volume and length higher than the mean of healthy children in about 90% of patients and a significant correlation between ABPM parameters and renal length and volume (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show, that the signs of renal damage and arterial hypertension occur relatively often in children with ADPKD despite still normal GFR. This justifies the early diagnosis of ADPKD especially as it reveals the most important treatable complication of ADPKD-arterial hypertension. These findings emphasise the importance of early diagnosis in children from families with ADPKD. Probably, early treatment of hypertension could even postpone the otherwise common end-stage renal damage in adult patients with ADPKD. Careful follow up of all children with ADPKD is strongly recommended, above all the blood pressure should be controlled.

Long-term outcome of paediatric patients with hereditary tubular disorders.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of children with hereditary tubular disorders (HTD) reach adult life due to diagnostic and therapeutic advances which results in growing need to manage these patients by adult centres. Data on the prevalence and the late clinical problems of these patients are limited. METHODS: We observed 177 paediatric patients with isolated or complex HTD between 1969 and 1994. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 3 (range 0-18) years and the median observation period 10 (range 1-43) years. The long-term outcomes with respect to renal function, bone disease, and body growth were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of HTD was 3.2% of all patients observed in our renal unit and 14% of those patients with chronic renal failure and/ or end-stage renal disease. The three most frequent disorders observed were nephropathic cystinosis (n = 34), X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (n = 26), and idiopathic hypercalciuria (n = 17). At the last observation, 12% of the patients with isolated HTD and 30% of those with complex HTD had developed preterminal chronic renal failure; end-stage renal disease was observed in 5 and 25%, respectively (p < 0.001). Progressive disease occurred mainly in patients having cystinosis, primary hyperoxaluria, the syndrome of hypomagnesaemia/hypercalciuria, primary Fanconi syndrome, Fanconi-Bickel syndrome, and methylmalonic aciduria. Nephrocalcinosis was found in 42%, urolithiasis in 14%, bone deformities and/or fractures in 28%, and other extrarenal alterations in 29% of all patients. The median body height at last observation was 2.0 SD below the normal mean (range from -10.4 to +2. 6), and the adult height was subnormal in 48% of 67 grown-up patients. Growth retardation was more severe in complex than in isolated HTD. The mortality decreased from 17% in 1969-1981 to 12% in 1982-1994. CONCLUSION: Although HTD are rare nephropathies, their frequently progressive course associated with extrarenal complications requires the attention of nephrologists beyond the paediatric age.

Glucocorticoid receptors in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

The variable response of patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) to glucocorticoid (GC) treatment has not been explained. Earlier studies indicated that the response is limited by cellular GC receptors. We investigated these receptors in mononuclear leukocytes of 28 pediatric patients with NS divided into three groups: steroid-sensitive in relapse, steroid-sensitive in remission, and steroid-resistant. Density and binding affinity of GC receptors were determined by a dexamethasone binding assay; no significant differences were found between the three patient groups and between these and healthy controls, although a few patient values fell outside the range of controls. Total and free plasma concentrations of cortisol were low in all three patient groups. A weak positive correlation was found between the number of GC receptors and total plasma cortisol (r=0.36, P=0.03). The results suggest that factors other than GC receptors that mediate the cellular effects of GC are involved in the variable response of NS patients to GC.

Probucol for treatment of hyperlipidemia in persistent childhood nephrotic syndrome. Report of a prospective uncontrolled multicenter study.

In a prospective, uncontrolled multicenter study, we have evaluated the effects of probucol on hyperlipidemia, proteinuria, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in hyperlipidemic children with persistent nephrotic syndrome. Probucol was started for a total of 12 weeks in 8 children and for 24 weeks in 14 children. Lipoprotein profiles, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, proteinuria, renal function, and electrocardiogram were monitored every 4 weeks. Side effects were recorded by questionnaire. Treatment was completed by 7 of 8 patients for 12 weeks and by 7 of 14 children for 24 weeks. After 12 weeks, the mean serum concentrations of triglycerides (-15%), total cholesterol (-25%), very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (-27%), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (-23%), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (-24%), as well as apolipoprotein (apo) A-I (-19%), apo B (-21%), and MDA (-32%) were reduced. The positive effects of probucol on the lipoprotein profile persisted over 24 weeks; however, there was no significant effect on either proteinuria or GFR. In conclusion, probucol had beneficial effects on lipoproteins and lipid peroxidation, but improved neither proteinuria nor GFR. The drug was generally tolerated well, but had to be discontinued because of a prolonged QT interval in 4 of 22 patients.

Enamel hypoplasia of primary teeth in chronic renal failure.

Chronic renal failure (CRF) in the first years of life is associated with developmental defects of enamel in the permanent dentition. We investigated if CRF also affects the primary (deciduous) dentition. Thirty-one children with CRF on conservative treatment (n = 12) or on renal replacement therapy (n = 19) underwent dental inspection. In addition, 18 CRF children provided an exfoliated deciduous tooth for microscopic examination. Enamel defects were detected in a total of 12 children (31%), either clinically or microscopically. Of the 7 children affected clinically, 6 (19% of all examined) presented localized hypoplasia of the primary canines, which was found only in 3% of healthy control children: 1 patient had generalized pitted enamel hypoplasia. By microscopy, 5 of 10 primary canines examined showed enamel hypoplasia localized exclusively in enamel formed after birth. The "birth line," a visible structure within the primary enamel, was always present, which excludes a prenatal onset of the defects. Of the 12 patients with an enamel defect, 9 had a documented onset of CRF within the first 7 weeks of life. We conclude that renal disease leading to CRF may affect enamel formation of primary teeth in early postnatal life, resulting in lesions different from those observed in the secondary dentition.

Nurse-parent relationship building in child psychiatric units.

PROBLEM: The role of nursing with parents in child psychiatric units has undergone significant change over the years. Historically, nurses had minimal contact with parents; more recently, the nurse's work with parents has intensified. METHODS: A grounded theory study was undertaken to learn about the process of relationship building between nurses and parents on these units. Interviews and participant observation were used to collect data on 21 nurse-parent interactions. FINDINGS: Two phases in the relationship, four patterns of interactions in the working phase, and factors that influence these relationships were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide the practicing nurse with information that should facilitate engaging parents.

Predicting the time course of haemoglobin in children treated with erythropoietin for renal anaemia.

AIMS: To establish a pharmacodynamic model that allows one to predict the haemoglobin (Hb) response to EPO in children as a function of dose and time, and to derive recommendations for initial dosing and subsequent dose adjustment. METHODS: Haemoglobin was monitored in eight children aged 8-15 years with anaemia due to renal failure during treatment with EPO. All patients were free of conditions known to impair the response to EPO. Pretreatment Hb was 4.9-9.0 g dl(-1). The drug was administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection; doses ranged from 1700 to 6800 U week (-1). Hb was monitored for 4-38 months. The Hb-time data were analysed by applying a population pharmacodynamic model proposed for EPO in adult haemodialysis patients. Internal model validation was carried out by using a bootstrap procedure. RESULTS: The increase of Hb during treatment with EPO was linear until steady state was reached after 103+/-33 days (mean +/- interindividual s.d.). The weekly gain in Hb from the onset of therapy to steady state was 0.0805+/-0.026 g dl(-1) (mean +/- interindividual s.d.) for every 1000 U EPO week (-1); it did not exhibit a dependence on body weight. Estimated mean prediction errors are +/-1.53 g dl(-1) for predictions that are based on the mean population parameters and +/-0.83 g dl(-1) for predictions that take into account the complete individual Hb-time data up to and including steady state. CONCLUSIONS: The model describes the time course of the Hb response to EPO in children with renal anaemia. The required weekly EPO dose should initially be calculated from the individual pretreatment Hb and the desired Hb at steady state by using the mean population estimates of the weekly gain in Hb per dose unit before steady state (beta) and the time needed to reach steady state (tau). A reduction of the initial dose according to body weight is not justified by the available evidence. beta should be re-estimated individually after 6 weeks of treatment and dose should be adjusted accordingly. A final dose adjustment should be made when steady state has been reached based on individual estimates of beta and tau.

Progression to end-stage renal disease in children with posterior urethral valves.

Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in boys with congenital posterior urethral valves (PUV) have much improved in past decades, but the impact of these changes on the progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has rarely been investigated. We followed renal function in 20 boys with PUV from diagnosis to ESRD. From the first observation period (1969-1978) to the second period (1979-1992) we found a marked drop in age at diagnosis, at valve resection, at first increase of serum creatinine (SCr), and at onset of ESRD. The progression was analyzed by calculating the slope of 1/SCr and the probability of renal survival. In all patients combined, renal survival at the age of 10 years was 35%. In children undergoing valve resection in the 1st year of life, renal survival was worse than in those undergoing later surgery (15% vs. 65% after 10 years, P=0.006). Patients with a SCr>1.2 mg/dl before the age of 12 months progressed more rapidly to ESRD than those attaining this level later. The lower the minimum level of SCr observed after initial surgery, the older the patient at the onset of ESRD. The presence of renal dysplasia or hypoplasia, but not of vesicoureteric reflux, was associated with a more rapid progression. Mean body height at ESRD was -2.3+/-1.3 standard deviation score compared with controls, and was lower if PUV was diagnosed before the age of 6 months.

Impact of recurrent nephrotic syndrome after renal transplantation in young patients.

Recurrent disease is a frequent complication of patients transplanted for steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Its long-term prognosis has rarely been studied. We examined 39 patients aged 4-25 (mean 13.5) years at the time of first transplantation (TX). Twelve of these (30%) developed nephrotic syndrome after the first TX and 2 of 8 after the second TX. The mean observation period from first TX to last observation with a functioning graft or graft loss was 5.4 (0.1-19.3) years. We confirmed that recurrent disease is associated with older age at onset of the primary disease, shorter time from onset to end-stage renal disease, and diffuse mesangial proliferation in the initial kidney biopsy. Remissions occurred in all 3 children undergoing early repeated plasma exchange and in 1 adolescent following introduction of cyclosporin A 7 years after TX. At last observation 42% of relapsing and 48% of non-relapsing patients with a similar follow-up period had a functioning first graft. Median first graft survival was almost identical in the relapsing and the non-relapsing patients (4.3 vs. 4.2 years). Histological lesions of focal glomerulosclerosis were detected in the posttransplant biopsies of only 3 patients. In conclusion, young patients with nephrotic syndrome associated with focal segmental sclerosis have a similar graft survival with and without recurrence of the nephrotic syndrome.