• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify renal inflammation following Kawasaki disease (KD) using single photon emission computed tomography along with Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA renal SPECT). Methods: From March 2011 to October 2011, 15 patients diagnosed with KD at the National Health Insurance System Ilsan Hospital were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent DMSA renal SPECT to evaluate renal involvement during the acute phase of KD. Urine ${\beta}2$-microglobulin (${\beta}2$-MG), a marker of renal proximal tubular dysfunction, was also measured to assess renal damage. Results: All 15 patients had normal renal function test results. However, microscopic hematuria and pyuria were observed in 13% and 33% of the patients, respectively. Moreover, urine ${\beta}2$-MG was elevated in 46% of the patients. In addition, patients were divided into two groups based on ${\beta}2$-MG level: those with an increased ${\beta}2$-MG level, and those with a normal ${\beta}2$-MG level. No significant differences were found between these two groups in clinical characteristics, laboratory, sonography, and echocardiography findings. All patients' DMSA renal SPECT scans were normal. Conclusion: Our study showed that mild abnormalities in the urinalysis and elevated urine ${\beta}2$-MG were the only findings of renal involvement in KD. However, no aggressive renal manifestations were detected on DMSA renal SPECT.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2016

Purpose: We used technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy to identify factors predictive of renal cortical defects in infants <3 months of age with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on infants <3 months of age with culture-proven UTIs treated at a single center from March 2010 to February 2016. Blood samples were obtained for laboratory evaluation prior to commencement of antibiotic therapy. The therapeutic delay time (TDT) and therapeutic response time (TRT) were recorded. All patients were divided into two groups depending on features of their DMSA scans. We compared the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of the two groups. Results: A total of 119 infants (94 males and 25 females; mean age, $56.9{\pm}21.3days$) were included. Cortical defects were evident in the DMSA scans of 47 cases (39.5%). In infants with such defects, the peak temperatures ($38.9{\pm}0.57^{\circ}C$ vs. $38.4{\pm}0.81^{\circ}C$, P=0.001), the absolute neutrophil counts ($8,920{\pm}4,460/mm$ vs. $7,290{\pm}4,090/mm$, P=0.043), and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ($6.49{\pm}4.33mg/dL$ vs. $3.21{\pm}2.81mg/dL$, P=0.001) were significantly higher than those in infants without cortical defects. The TDT was also longer in those with cortical defects (P=0.037). Conclusion: We found that a TDT ${\geq}8.5hr$ (odds ratio [OR] 5.81), a peak temperature ${\geq}38.3^{\circ}C$ (OR 6.19), and a CRP level ${\geq}4.96mg/dL$ (OR 7.26) predicted abnormal DMSA scan results in infants <3 months of age with UTIs.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between 99mTecnicium-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan findings and clinical parameters including age and fever duration. Methods: The positive rates for abnormal DMSA scans were analyzed according to the age of patients, fever duration prior to admission, and total fever duration. DMSA scan findings were divided into 3 categories: single defect, multifocal defects, and discrepant defects. We evaluated the detection rates of vesicoureteral reflux according to DMSA scan lesions. Results: Among a total 320 cases, 141 (44.1%) had abnormal DMSA scans. The infant group (0-1 year of age) had a shorter total fever duration, and a lower C-reactive protein (CRP) value and DMSA positive rate (39.8% vs. 60.6%, P=0.002) compared to children group (2-15 years of age). Patients with abnormal scans had a longer total fever duration and higher CRP compared to those with normal scans. The positivity rate of abnormal scans did not differ between the patients with a short fever duration prior to admission of ${\leq}2$ days and those with longer fever duration of ${\geq}3$ days. However, patients with longer total fever duration had a higher rate of abnormal DMSA scans (P=0.02). Among cases with a single defect, multifocal defects, and discrepant defects, vesicoureteral reflux was observed in 22.4%, 60% and 70.6% of cases, respectively (P=0.004). Conclusion: Although DMSA scan has limitations in early diagnosis, DMSA scan findings may aid in the prediction of the severity of systemic inflammation and detection of vesicoureteral reflux.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.220-228
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• 2007

Purpose : We studied the value of clinical signs, laboratory findings and $^{99m}technetium$ dime-rcaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) scan in predicting the presence of vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in children with first febrile urinary tract infection(UTI). Methods : A retrospective analysis of 84 hospitalized children with first febrile UTI was performed. They underwent DMSA scan and voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) during the acute phase, and were divided into three groups according to the results of the VCUG: absence of VUR, mild(grade I-II) and severe VUR(grade III-V). We studied the relation of VUR to age, gender, fever duration, causative organism, white blood cell count, serum C-reactive protein and result of DMSA scan. Results : Among 84 patients, 6 had mild and 17 had severe VUR. Thirty-eight had abnormal DMSA scan. results Patients with VUR were older than those without VUR(P<0.01). There was a lower probability of infection with Escherichia coli in patients with severe VUR than in those with mild and absent VUR(P<0.01). An abnormal DMSA scan correlated with the presence and severity of VUR(P<0.05). Severe VUR was present in 10.9% of patients with normal DMSA scan. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the DMSA scan in predicting the presence of VUR were 69.6%, 63.9%, 42.1%, and 84.8%, respectively. Conclusion : An abnormal DMSA scan correlated to the presence and severity of VUR, but the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the DMSA scan were low. There-fore, patient with an abnormal DMSA scan requires a VCUG. In order to prevent missing the 10.9% of patients with severe VUR but normal DMSA scans, a VCUG should be performed in patient with normal DMSA scan.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2003

Purpose : Acute pyelonephritis in children may result in permanant renal damage which later in life may lead to hypertension and renal failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors that might be useful for predicting the development of renal scar in children with urinary tract infection(UTI). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 442 patients with UTI who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Chonbuk National University Hospital, during the period from April 1992 to March 2002. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of renal scar on the follow-up DMSA renal scan, and we compared the factors associated with renal scarring between the two groups. Results : There were no significant differences in sex, causative organism and acute phase reactants between the groups with and without renal scar. The age at diagnosis was significantly higher in the renal scar group compared to that without scar. Of the 60 patients with renal scar, 78% had vesicoureteral reflux(VUR), but 13% of patients without scar had VUR. Furthermore, the severity of VUR was significantly correlated with renal scar formation. 53% showed multiple cortical defects on the initial DMSA renal scan, compared to 32% in the non-scar group. In addition, 76% of patients showing multiple cortical defects on the initial DMSA renal scan with VUR had renal scar. Conclusion : The presence and grade of VUR, and findings on the initial DMSA renal scan would contribute to predict risk of renal scar formation in children with UTI.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.74-78
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• 2016

Purpose: Early diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection have been emphasized to prevent renal scarring. If untreated, acute pyelonephritis could cause renal injury, which leads to renal scarring, hypertension, proteinuria, and chronic renal failure. The purpose of this study was to assess risk factors of renal scarring after treatment of acute pyelonephritis (APN). Methods: The medical records of 59 patients admitted at Daegu Fatima Hospital because of APN between March 2008 and April 2015 whose renal cortical defects were confirmed by using initial technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scans were reviewed retrospectively. We divided 59 patients into 2 groups according to the presence of renal scar and assessed risk factors of renal scar, including sex, age at diagnosis, feeding method, hydronephrosis, bacterial species, vesicoureteral reflux, and vesicoureteral reflux grade. Results: Of 59 patients (41%), 24 showed renal scar on follow-up DMSA scan. No significant differences in sex, hydronephrosis, bacterial species, and fever duration were found between the renal-scarred and non-scarred groups. As for age at diagnosis, age of >12 months had 5.8 times higher incidence rate of renal scarring. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) affected renal scar formation. VUR grade III or IV had 14.7 times greater influence on renal scar formation than VUR grade I or II. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the presence of VUR and its grade and age at diagnosis are risk factors of renal scar on follow-up DMSA scan after APN.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.201-212
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• 2005

Purpose : Acute pyelonephritis is one of the most common causes of unexplained fever in children. It may lead to the development of progressive renal damage. However, the deteclion of acute pyelonephritis can be difficult, especially in infants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of various lab tests and imaging studies for acute renal parenchymal changes in children with APN. We correlated the clinical and laboratory manifestations of acute pyelonephritis with the Imaging studies. Methods : We reviewed the records of 115 children (85 males and 30 females) who were hospitalized Outing the period of January 1998 to December 2002 with initial clinical symptoms suggestive of pyelonephritis. The patients' age, sex, duration of fever, laboratory findings, and causative organisms were compared with the findings of imaging studies (Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan, renal ultrasonography, intravenous pyelography, voiding cystourethrography). Results : No significant relation between the number of febrile days, leukocyte count, causative organism, and the renal abnormalities in the imaging studies were observed. On the other hand, both C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels were significantly elevated in children with positive dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan. Furthermore, females and children older than 1 year presented with significantly higher rate of abnormal dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan findings and vesicoureteral reflux presented by voiding cystourethrography. Conclusion : We recommend females and children older than 1 year who are suspected of acute pyelonephritis be evaluated carefully for renal involvement by performing imaging studies including dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan and voiding cystourethrography. (J Koroan Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:201-212)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2017

Purpose: The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines for managing febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in infants and children 2-24 months old, but little guidance is offered regarding UTIs in those younger than 8 weeks of age. The definition of UTI is unclear and whether to proceed with micturating cystourethrography (MCUG) or $^{99m}$technetium-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy scan in this age group is controversial. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 29 neonates and infants younger than 2 months of age who underwent late DMSA scans 9 months following the first episode of febrile or symptomatic UTI between July 2009 and June 2016. Results: In total, 192 children aged 0-24 months underwent ultrasound and DMSA scans (MCUG in 174/192). Neonates and infants younger than 2 months of age were significantly less likely to develop fever, and had a lower fever peak, shorter duration of fever before admission and after starting antibiotics, longer hospitalization period, lower C-reactive protein, and greater incidence of nonEscherichia coli infection. There was no difference in pyuria response at diagnosis. The prevalence rates of an ultrasound abnormality (28%), vesicoureteral reflux (28%), UTI recurrence (38%), and renal scarring (10%) in infants younger than 8 weeks of age were similar to those in children 2-24 months old. Conclusion: Neonates and infants younger than 2 months of age with UTI warrant special consideration because the fever response used for diagnosis in older children may be absent or blunted. Clinical guideline is needed for the diagnosis and management of UTI in this age group.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2009

Purpose : Our aim is to reduce the rate of lumbar spinal tapping and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) infants less than 3 months of age. Methods : We reviewed the prevalence of UTI, sepsis, meningitis and UTI with bacterial meningitis in febrile infants less than 3 months of age during the period from Jan. 2001 to Jun. 2008. Renal ultrasonography, Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan or VCUG were performed in infants with UTI. Infants with UTI were divided into two groups according to the presence of abnormal findings of ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan : group 1-Infants in whom both ultrasonography and DMSA were normal, group 2-Infants in whom ultrasonography or DMSA were abnormal. Prevalence of VUR was compared between the two groups. We followed up the clinical course of patients who had VUR in group 1. Results : Among 1962 Infants, UTI, sepsis and bacterial meningitis were diagnosed in 620 (31.6%), 63 (3.2%), 8 (0.4%) respectively. Lumbar puncture was performed in 413 (66.6%) infants with UTI and we did not detect a case of bacterial meningitis in association. 348 infants with proven UTI were undergone ultrasonography, DMSA, VCUG. In group 1 with 110 infants (31.6%), the presence of VUR was 4 (3.6%). In group 2 with 238 infants (68.4%), the presence of VUR was 51 (21.4%). Abnormal findings of ultrasonography or DMSA renal scan were closely related with high grade VUR. Most of patients with VUR in group1 had good prognosis. Conclusion : Lumbar puncture and VCUG are invasive procedures. Therefore we should decide whether to perform lumbar puncture or VCUG in infants less than 3 months. of age with their first febrile UTI.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.854-857
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• 2003

Purpose : It is known that single umbilical artery is frequently associated with gastrointestinal or urogenital anomaly, however, routine renal sonography has been debated in healthy neonate with isolated single umbilical artery. This study is designed to determine the usefulness of routine renal sonography in apparently healthy infants with an isolated single umbilical artery. Methods : Thirty healthy neonates with a single umbilical artery without a major anomaly from January 1995 to July 2002 were enrolled. The authors investigated the clinical background of babies and their mothers after renal sonography after 72 hours of age. When the abnormalities were found at the first renal sonography, the severity of hydronephrosis and degree of obstruction and renal function were analyzed by follow up renal sonography, voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) and technetium-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) scan or technetium-99m-mercaptoacetyl-triglycerine (MAG3) scan. Results : Among the 30 healthy patients with isolated single umbilical artery, five patients(16.7%) showed abnormalities on first renal sonography with one major(3.3%) and four(13.4%) minor renal anomaly(minimal or mild hydroneohrosis). One major renal anomaly(severe hydronephrosis) showed severe decreased renal function on MAG3 scan without reflux, and the other four minor regressed spontaneously on follow up study. Conclusion : The value of routine early renal sonograpy for detecting renal anomaly in healthy infants with an isolated single umbilical artery remained unclear because most of the anomalies would regress spontaneously in the follow up study.