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The challenges of caring for children with nephrotic syndrome in a tertiary institution in the D emocratic R epublic of C ongo
Author(s) -
Aloni Michel Ntetani,
Sysleyne Létycia Mizèle,
Ekulu Pépé Mfutu,
Babio Francis Lukebadio,
Ngiyulu René Makuala,
GiniEhungu Jean Lambert
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.12647
Subject(s) - nephrotic syndrome , medicine , pediatrics , incidence (geometry) , medical record , optics , physics
Aim The care of children with resistant nephrotic syndrome ( NS ) in the D emocratic R epublic of C ongo is compromised by resource deficiencies that range from inadequate healthcare budgets, to scarce laboratory facilities and inconsistent drug supplies. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical profile and management of children with nephrotic syndrome in Kinshasa, the country's capital and its largest city. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 62 patients with a diagnosis of NS , who were seen in the P aediatric N ephrology U nit at the U niversity H ospital of K inshasa between J anuary 1983 and J anuary 2008. Results Of the 62 children diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, 33 were boys and 29 were girls, giving a male to female ratio of 1.14:1. Their median age at initial presentation was 7.5 years (range: 1.5–13 years) with a peak incidence at six to nine years of age (38.7%). No cases of plasmodium malariae were isolated in our series. Sixteen (25.8%) of the children had resistant corticoid nephrotic syndrome and six of the children (9.7%) died. Conclusion Age, the prevalence of steroid‐resistant NS and the mortality rate in our series were higher than those reported in Asian and Western countries.