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Biomedical subjects

V Kher

Publications and source records attributed to V Kher.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Malignant hypertension in children in India.

BACKGROUND: Malignant hypertension is now an uncommon entity in the western world but still remains a significant problem in India. Therefore we studied the aetiological spectrum, management, and outcome of these patients. METHODS: Forty consecutive children (<16 years) with malignant hypertension were admitted and investigated to exclude or confirm the secondary causes of hypertension. For acute control of blood pressure sublingual nifedipine was used in dosage of 0.3-0.6 mg/kg, failing which intravenous nitroglycerin was used. In patients with aortoarteritis with active disease, steroids were used. Angioplasty was carried out for renal artery stenosis whenever possible. RESULTS: Renoparenchymal disease was the commonest cause of malignant hypertension, and was seen in 25 cases, renovascular hypertension in 13 cases (11 aortoarteritis and two fibromuscular dysplasia) and two had essential hypertension. For acute control of severe hypertension, sublingual nifedipine was effective in 92.5% of patients. Of the patients with renoparenchymal disease five became normotensive with treatment of the underlying disease, four received renal allograft, seven died, and nine are stable on antihypertensive drugs. Renal angioplasty was carried out in seven patients with renovascular hypertension (4 cured, 3 improved) and six are controlled on drugs. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that apart from renoparenchymal disease, aortoarteritis is a common cause of malignant hypertension in children. Sublingual nifedipine is effective for the rapid control of severe hypertension, and angioplasty is effective in aortoarteritis for short-term preservation of renal function and control of hypertension.

Adolescent↗

Spectrum of infections in Indian children with nephrotic syndrome.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of infections in 154 children (114 boys, 40 girls) with nephrotic syndrome who satisfied the International Study of Kidney Disease in Children criteria. Their mean age at onset of symptoms was 6.2 years (range 6 months to 16 years) and the mean duration of follow-up was 32 months (range 6-55 months). One or more infectious complications were observed in 59 of the 154 children (38%), with urinary tract infection being the commonest (13.7%), followed by pulmonary tuberculosis (10.4%), peritonitis (9.1%), skin infections (5.2%), upper respiratory infections (5.2%), lower respiratory tract infections (3.9%) and pyomeningitis (0.6%). There were 3 deaths, the mortality in 2 patients being attributable to infections. There was no significant difference between children who developed infection and those who didn't in terms of age of onset, sex, duration of disease, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and 24-h proteinuria. However, the children who developed infectious complications had significantly higher serum cholesterol levels (P < 0.01) and lower serum albumin levels (P < 0.02). The frequency of infections was higher in children who were frequent relapsers, steroid dependent and subsequent non-responders (28/60) compared with infrequent relapsers and initial non-responders (29/94).

Adolescent↗

Central pontine myelinolysis following 'slow' correction of hyponatremia.

Two patients with central pontine myelinolysis are described for the peculiar mode of development. Both patients were in chronic renal failure and admitted in a stuporous state due to hyponatremia. Both developed central pontine myelinolysis during the hospital stay following slow and judicious correction of hyponatremia. The role of chronicity of hyponatremia prior to its correction, in the genesis of central pontine myelinolysis, particularly in the patients who have chronic debilitating illness, septicemia or malnutrition, is highlighted.

Adult↗

Daily peritoneal dialysis using a surgically placed Tenckhoff catheter for acute renal failure in children.

Thirty-one infants and children with acute failure were treated with peritoneal dialysis using a surgically placed Tenckhoff catheter. In 10 patients a peritoneal dialysis cycler was used, and 21 were dialyzed by the manual method. Initially, hourly exchanges were given for 24 to 48 h and, as the patients stabilized, 10 exchanges per day at 1-h intervals were given. The mean stabilization period was 36 +/- 8 h. The predialysis mean serum creatinine was 5.8 +/- 1.8 mg% and the serum creatinine while on daily dialysis was 2.8 +/- 1.1 mg%. Peritoneal dialysis succeeded in controlling metabolic abnormalities and improving fluid balance. All the catheters except one functioned immediately following insertion. Median duration of catheter placement for dialysis was 18 days (range 2 to 90). The incidence of peritonitis was 12.8%, and exit site infection was 6.4%. The infection rate was decreased when a cycler was used compared with the manual method (23.8% vs. 10.0%), though not statistically significant. Two patients developed hypothermia while being dialyzed via the manual method. To conclude, 10 daily peritoneal dialysis exchanges performed at 1-h intervals after initial stabilization using a surgically placed Tenckhoff catheter is an effective and safe mode of dialytic therapy for children with acute renal failure. Complications (infection and hypothermia) are reduced with the use of a cycler.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Defective lymphoproliferative responses & interleukin-2 production in chronic renal failure patients.

Cellular immune responses were evaluated in 12 early renal failure (ERF) patients who were not on maintenance haemodialysis, 43 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on haemodialysis (HD) and 25 healthy volunteers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of ERF and ESRD patients on HD had a significantly diminished lymphoproliferative responses to phytohaemagglutinin and a monoclonal antibody to the CD3 (anti-CD3) receptor on T-cells as compared to normals. The interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by the PBMC was also significantly reduced in renal failure patients as compared to normals. These data suggest that both IL-2 dependent and IL-2 independent T-cell functions are defective in renal failure patients.

Adult↗

Intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide--a new regime for steroid-resistant minimal change nephrotic syndrome.

The treatment of steroid-resistant minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) continues to pose a therapeutic challenge. We conducted a randomised prospective controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of i.v. cyclophosphamide compared with oral cyclophosphamide in 13 children with biopsy-proven steroid-resistant MCNS. All 7 patients receiving i.v. cyclophosphamide achieved remission; this was sustained in 4 patients, while 3 relapsed. However, even these 3 patients subsequently became steroid sensitive. Of the 6 patients who received oral cyclophosphamide, 2 dropped out, 1 responded and 3 children continued to remain steroid resistant. The children who received IV cyclophosphamide had more sustained remissions, longer periods without proteinuria and fewer significant side effects; this was achieved at a lower cumulative dose.

Administration, Oral↗

Steroid response pattern in Indian children with nephrotic syndrome.

The steroid response pattern to standard prednisolone therapy is of immense diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic value for the treating physician in managing children with nephrotic syndrome. None of the studies from our country has analysed the clinical, biochemical and histopathological profile in different steroid response categories. To address this problem we conducted a study comprising 127 children with nephrotic syndrome referred to our institute. They were treated with oral prednisolone according to the APN protocol. Based on the subsequent response these children were classified into different steroid response categories on follow-up. Of the 116 children with follow-up of more than six months, infrequent relapsers constituted the majority (37.9%). The frequency of other steroid response categories was as follows: frequent relapsers (21.6%), steroid-dependent (18.1%), initial non-responders (17.3%) and subsequent non-responders (5.1%). The factors predicting a poor response to standard prednisolone therapy in our study were age of onset more than eight years, male sex, hypertension, microscopic haematuria and presence of non-minimal change nephrotic syndrome lesions on histopathology.

Child↗

Carbon monoxide poisoning: an unusual cause of acute renal failure.

Carbon monoxide poisoning in a family of 3 persons resulted in renal failure with neurological damage in a 40-year-old husband and a fatal neurological injury in 35-year-old wife whereas the newborn child survived without any ill effects. Rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria secondary to anoxia was the probable cause of acute renal failure. The recognition of nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis-related acute renal failure is important in preventing fatality if neurological salvage is done at the right time.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

99m Tc DTPA scan as a diagnostic marker of acute rejection in renal transplantation.

Forty renal transplant recipients were subjected to 99m Technicium Diethylene triamine pentacetic acid (DTPA)scans at regular intervals & whenever there was suspection of rejection. Serial scans of a group of 15 recipients from immediate post transplant period till withdrawal of cyclosporine were analysed separately & the results compared to with single scan analysis. The sensitivity & specificity of DTPA scan in the absence of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was 94.1% & 87.5%, while the positive & negative predictive values were 88.8 & 93.3% respectively. Sensitivity & specificity of serial scan analysis (88.8% and 75%) in early post transplant period was higher than that of interpretation of single scan (75% & 66%). Serial scan changes predated clinical rejection during cyclosporine withdrawal period. We conclude that DTPA scan is both a sensitive & specific non-invasive diagnostic marker of acute rejection in absence of ATN & serial scans during early post transplant period & at the time of cyclosporine withdrawal are helpful in detecting the rejection accurately & at the earliest.

Adult↗

Should elderly donors be accepted in a live related renal transplant program?

It is a matter of concern that the elderly donor may have increased risks in the peri-operative period due to age-related changes in various organ. Nephrosclerosis, atherosclerosis and low GFR of an elderly kidney may portend a poor graft outcome. A retrospective analysis of our live related renal transplant program (from June 1989 to December 1993) revealed that 27 of the donors were above 60 years of age. 21 of the recipients have been followed up for more than 1 year. These patients were compared with a cohort of 25 patients (donor age < 45 years) with similar HLA match, immunosuppressive protocol, and follow-up period more than 1 year. Graft survival at 1 year was 86% and 88% in the recipients from elderly and younger donors respectively; 1 patient in the control group died of fulminant sepsis. Mean follow-up was 21.6 months in the study group and 22.8 months in the control group. Allograft function was evaluated by serum creatinine and differential GFR by Tc DTPA scan. Serum creatinine (mg%) was 1.3 +/- 0.2 and 1.4 +/- 0.2 in the study group and 1.3 +/- 0.3, 1.2 +/- 0.3 in the control group at 3 and 12 months respectively. Glomerular filtration rate (ml/min) was 36.5 +/- 11.6 and 43.7 +/- 12.4 in the recipients from elderly donors whereas those from the younger donors had GFR (ml/min) of 40.6 +/- 9.6 and 49.6 +/- 14.2 at 3 and 12 months respectively, GFR continued to improve in both groups with follow-up. There was no difference in incidence or severity of ATN In the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Treatment of nephrotic syndrome.

There are well defined therapeutic protocols for childhood nephrotic syndrome. Appropriate therapy helps in minimizing side effects besides decreasing referrals to tertiary care centres. We have analysed the appropriateness of therapy of primary care physicians in 111 children with nephrotic syndrome referred to our Institute from January 1989 to December 1991. Prednisone was administered in adequate doses in 51 (52.6%), and for adequate duration in 41 children (42.2%). Adjunctive cyclophosphamide therapy was administered in the recommended doses and duration in 33% of the cases. On evaluation of the therapy it was observed that inappropriate treatment had been administered by 39.4% of the pediatricians, 59% of internists and 80% of general practitioners. This study highlights the lacunae in the current state of knowledge amongst the primary physicians and highlights the need for creating greater awareness regarding the therapy of children with nephrotic syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Pattern of acute renal failure at a referral hospital.

Fifty two children (upto 12 years age) with acute renal failure (ARF) admitted to the Nephrology services between January, 1989 to August, 1992 were studied to determine the cause and outcome. Of these, 39 were boys and 13 girls; 27 (51.9%) patients were below 4 years of age. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) was the commonest cause of ARF (30.8%) followed by acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in 28.84% and acute glomerulonephritis in 19.23%. All patients had severe renal involvement with anuria in 53.6% and oliguria in 46.4% at presentation. HUS was the leading cause of anuria (53.6%), followed by obstructive uropathy (21.4%). Thirty five patients required dialytic support for a median duration of 18 days (2-90 days). The mortality was 34.6%. Seven patients of HUS, 4 patients of ARF following surgery, 3 patients each of ATN and glomerulonephritis and one patient of obstructive uropathy died. Anuria at onset, central nervous system or respiratory complications and delay in institution of dialytic support were bad prognostic factors. We conclude that early referral and prompt institution of dialytic support may be helpful in decreasing the mortality.

Acute Kidney Injury↗