Study examines impact renal biopsy has on treatment decisions in children

In this retrospective analysis, data from 108 children who underwent renal biopsy were analyzed to compare the suspected histopathological diagnosis with the final diagnosis and if the biopsy results impacted treatment.

Indications included steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (35.1%), steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome requiring calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) (12%), nephrotic range proteinuria with atypical features (16.7%), lupus nephritis (13%), and acute kidney injury (AKI) stage 3 (17.6%).

In 53% of patients, the suspected and histopathological diagnoses were similar (agreement factor of 0.462) and treatment was ultimately changed in 28.7% of cases.

In 55.6% of patients with nephrotic range proteinuria with atypical features and 52.6% of patients with AKI stage 3, the renal biopsy had a substantial impact.

Reference
Pilania RK, Venkatesh GV, Nada R, et al. Renal biopsy in children-effect on treatment decisions: A single-center experience. Indian J Pediatr. 2021; DOI:10.1007/s12098-021-03721-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33847911.