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Objective: To assess the current physical status and developmental outcome of children born to mothers following renal transplantation.Methodology: A cross-sectional prevalence survey of 48 children born to 34 women transplanted at a single centre from 1971 to 1992 was performed. Data on maternal renal disease, immunosuppression, pregnancy, delivery and child development were collected using hospital records and parental questionnaire. Children underwent physical examination, urinalysis and urinary tract ultrasound examination (US).Results: Maternal renal failure was due to reflux nephropathy/chronic pyelonephritis (16), chronic glomerulonephritis (eight) and other causes (10). All mothers received prednisolone immunosuppression, as sole therapy (one), as part of triple therapy (one). Sixteen (47%) received azathioprine/prednisolone and 16 (47%) cyclosporin/prednisolone. Twenty-three girls and 25 boys aged 9 months to 18 years were studied (median age 5.2 years); 27/48 (56%) were born prematurely, 21/48 (44%) with birthweight (BW) < 2500 g 21/48 (44%) were small for gestation (BW < 10th centile). General health and physical assessment were unremarkable in 45/48 (94%) and 41/43 (95%), respectively. Development was considered normal in 47/48 (98%). Four of 40 (10%) had urinary tract abnormalities on US.Conclusions: Despite a high incidence of preterm delivery, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation and urinary tract abnormalities, the overall outcome for children of renal transplant recipient mothers is good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glomerular deposition of IgA1 is a common feature of Henoch-Schonlein purpura, and is indistinguishable from that seen in IgA nephropathy. Serum IgA1 is abnormally O-glycosylated in IgA nephropathy, and this may contribute to mesangial IgA1 deposition and the development of glomerular injury. This altered O-glycosylation of IgA1 can be detected by its increased binding to the lectin Vicia villosa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between a child's first name and the likelihood of inpatient admission following presentation to a paediatric emergency department (ED)., Methods: This was a retrospective review of electronic records held in the ED of an urban tertiary paediatric hospital. Data were obtained for all presentations up to the age of 16 years for a single month (n= 4260), each being allocated to 1 of the 10 predetermined first name categories., Results: A statistically significant increased risk for hospital admission was found for the following first name categories: popular culture (relative risk (RR) = 1.91, P= 0.000, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.60-2.28), apparently unique (RR = 1.52, P= 0.000, 95% CI = 1.23-1.87), Old Testament (RR = 1.39, P= 0.001, 95% CI = 1.14-1.69) and surname as first name (RR = 1.36, P= 0.015, 95% CI = 1.07-1.72)., Conclusions: Our data confirm the impression that children with certain categories of first names have an increased likelihood of admission to hospital after presenting to the ED. We speculate that our findings, which are in concordance with those from educational and psychological literature, may reflect socio-economic status and/or a 'self-fulfilling prophecy'. Further research may make it possible to assign names an RR rating (e.g. for hospital admission in the first 16 years of life), thus providing parents with another factor to consider when choosing names for their children. More studies are of course needed.

Childhood autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) of the warm type is usually successfully managed with corticosteroids and/or immunoglobulin infusions. In a small proportion of patients AIHA follows a more severe and protracted pathway resulting in the use of immunosuppressive therapy and frequently culminating with the need for splenectomy. Rituximab is an anti-CD20 (B-cell) monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade or follicular, CD20 positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Case reports on the use of rituximab for childhood AIHA are scant. The authors describe the first report in which rituximab was effectively employed to induce a long-term remission in a young child with the longest history of chronic relapsing AIHA prior to receiving rituximab. All immunosuppressive therapy was successfully discontinued and splenectomy was avoided.

Background: Paediatric nephrology is a small subspecialty whose patients are widely scattered geographically within Scotland making provision of uniform and optimal care difficult., Aim: We set out to determine what services are provided throughout Scotland as well as seeking paediatricians' views on improving services for children and adolescents with renal disease., Method: All 12 paediatric units in Scotland were visited and a senior consultant within each unit undertook to complete a questionnaire on behalf of his or her unit., Results: Questionnaires were returned by 11/12 centres (92%). The scope of renal services offered varied widely. Most (10/11) favoured a 'shared care' approach using the comprehensive paediatric nephrology service in Glasgow as a focal point. Outreach services and a telephone advisory service were suggested by 7/10 and 6/10 units respectively. The development of a Scottish paediatric nephrology group was supported by 10/11 centres returning the questionnaire., Conclusion: There is both a need and an interest in developing a national strategy for paediatric nephrology in Scotland.

The first reported case of congestive cardiac failure in a child with Addison's disease secondary to fludrocortisone therapy is presented. A renal adaptation to compensate for chronic salt and water deprivation is suggested as a possible mechanism for the development of congestive cardiac failure in this patient.