Ten year experience of pediatric kidney biopsies from a single center in Pakistan

There are many established registries of kidney biopsies around the world. In addition, there are several reports available in literature from many countries on pediatric kidney biopsy. This study was done to determine the indications and pathological patterns of kidney biopsies of children referred to our hospital, and compare our data with the data available from other countries. This is a cross-sectional study of pediatric kidney biopsies over a 10-year period, from January 1997 to December 2006. All biopsies were done in Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Age range was from 1 to 14 years. Data were analyzed for indications and histopathological diagnosis. A total of 54 kidney biopsies were included in the initial analysis. Here 13 samples were excluded and final analysis was done on the remaining 41 samples. The most common indication of kidney biopsy was nephrotic syndrome in 25 samples (61%). The most common histopathology was minimal change disease in 15 (37%), followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 5 (12%) of the biopsies.

biopsy from various countries.However, a Medline search revealed that there is no published report from Pakistan on this subject.We did this study to determine the pattern of pathological diagnosis and to identify the indications of renal biopsies in children referred to our institution.

Introduction
A kidney biopsy is relatively uncommon in children compared with adults.A literature review indicates that most of the published reports deal with adult kidney biopsy.This difference is due to the fact that nephrotic syndrome in children is assumed to have minimal disease change, and steroid therapy is instituted first without biopsy. [1,2]Kidney biopsy in nephrotics is done only when they have steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome. [3]Now, with the availability of automated triggered biopsy gun, kidney biopsy is a safe procedure and usually not an issue in decision-making. [4]ere are several published reports on pediatric kidney October 2010 / Vol 20 / Issue 4 Histopathological evaluation of the biopsy specimens was done by light microscopy and immunofluorescence.Electron microscopy was not available.Biopsies were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid schiff.Immunoflourescence staining was done with antibodies against IgG, IgM, IgA, C 3 , and other markers if indicated.All specimens were reviewed by two qualified pathologists.The data were stored and analyzed by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.

Results
Total 54 kidney biopsies were included in the initial analysis.After excluding 13 biopsy samples, there were 41 biopsies remaining for final analysis.There were 29 male (72.5%) and 11 female subjects (27.5%).Mean age was 7.6 ± 3.3 years.Median age was 9 years.Age range was 1-14 years.
The analysis showed that the most common indication of biopsy was nephrotic syndrome in 25 (61%) patients.Other indications were non-nephrotic proteinuria, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, lupus, and oliguria [Table 1].
Among 25 nephrotic patients, 8 (32%) were steroid dependent and 17 (68%) were steroid resistant.Steroid dependence refers to the relapse on withdrawal of steroids and requirement of steroids to maintain the remission.Steroid resistance refers to little or no reduction in proteinuria after 12-16 weeks of adequate therapy. [5]e most common histopathology was minimal change disease (MCD) in 15 (37%) patients.It was followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 5 (12%) patients.Membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) was noted in 4 (10%) of samples [Table 2].

Discussion
It is the first report of pediatric renal biopsy from Pakistan.This study provides information about indications of kidney biopsy as well as a pattern of histopathology in children.The most common indication of renal biopsy was nephrotic syndrome.Steroid-resistant nephrotics were twice of steroid-dependent nephrotics in number.
In our study, the most common histopathological diagnosis, irrespective of the indication of biopsy, was MCD.The second most common pathology was FSGS and then MPGN.
Results from some of the representative studies from other geographical locations are presented in Table 3.8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Probably, lower the threshold of doing kidney biopsy, greater the chance of picking up cases of MCD.
There is ongoing debate regarding the practice patterns of doing pediatric kidney biopsy.Filler and associates form Canada reviewed 17 years data of pediatric renal biopsy. [16]hey concluded that in spite of reports of increasing incidence of FSGS, there is no reason to change the initial therapy and current indications to perform renal biopsy in children.Others recommended to modify the current practice of pediatric kidney biopsy to minimize the likelihood of kidney biopsy with MCD. [15]Webb and associates reviewed childhood steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.They concluded that prebiopsy clinical courses do not predict the histological diagnosis. [17]sar, et al.: Pediatric biopsies from Pakistan   We recommend to keep low threshold for the procedure, especially because it is now a very safe procedure.Biopsy will help in making early diagnosis and instituting the right doses of steroids or other immunosuppressive medications promptly according to the guidelines published by the Indian Pediatric Nephrology Group. [5]

Conclusion
Our study is an important contribution to the epidemiology of pediatric renal diseases in South-East Asia.We conclude that MCD is the most common pathology and nephrotic syndrome is the most common indication of biopsy in our children.There is an urgent need of central registry of pediatric kidney biopsy in our country to better understand the pattern of renal disease among children.