In developing countries, renal diseases in children constitute important causes of morbidity and mortality. In Sudan, data about patterns and outcome of these disorders is generally scanty. We conducted this study to provide basic renal data that may be utilized by researchers and health planners in a resource poor setting. A retrospective record review of all pediatric patients, followed in four teaching hospitals in Khartoum State over a five-year period (January 2000-June 2004), was achieved. In 150 hospitalized children a total of 200 renal diagnoses were recorded. Urinary tract infection (UTI), occurring with other underlying renal morbidities or isolated, was the commonest renal diagnosis (20%). The second common renal disorders were nephrotic syndrome (NS) and urolithiasis/stones accounting for 16% and 15.5% of cases, respectively. Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) and congenital anomalies were relatively less common (12% and 10.5%, respectively). Other less frequently detected diseases were acute renal failure (ARF) in 6%, chronic renal failure (CRF) in 4%, hereditary nephropathies in 3.5% and renal tumors in 2.5%. There was a significant correlation between the pattern of renal diseases and age of patients (P =0.001) but not their gender or social class (P = 0.211 and 0.34, respectively). On follow up, 99 out of 150 patients (66%) recovered their normal renal function, 6/150 (4%) remained with persistent proteinuria, 30/150 (20%) progressed to CRF, 10/150 (6.7%) died, and 5/150 (3.3%) were referred to radiotherapy department for further management. Our data reflects geographical variations of patterns of renal diseases in Sudanese children as in other countries. Many of these diseases are preventable or potentially curable. Therefore, improvement of pediatric renal services and training of health workers would help in early detection and treatment of these conditions leading to reduction in their morbidity and mortality.
Key words: Glomerulonephritis; Nephrotic syndrome; Renal anomalies; Renal diseases; Renal failure; Sudanese children; Urinary tract infection; Urolithiasis
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