Alport syndrome is an inherited kidney disease that leads to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to pathogenic variants in COL4A3/4/5, which encode type IV collagen. Promptly identifying patients with Alport syndrome and starting treatment with a renin–angiotensin system inhibitor (RAS-I) is important for delaying progression to ESKD. In Japan, public urine screening is available for all children aged 3 years.
Methods
Patients genetically diagnosed with Alport syndrome at our department between August 2015 and May 2024, who were aged ≤ 18 years, were included in the study. We evaluated their clinical and genetic characteristics and identified the circumstances under which abnormal urine findings were first detected, with a focus on the role of urine screening at the age of 3 years (age-3 urine screening).
Results
A total of 356 patients with Alport syndrome were eligible for this study. The most common setting for detecting urine abnormalities for the first time was during age-3 urine screening (n = 113, 31.7%). The inherited forms were as follows: X-linked (XL) female (43.3%), XL male (30.1%), autosomal dominant (AD) (19.5%), and autosomal recessive (AR) (6.2%) Alport syndrome. In addition, 60.2% of these patients already met the criteria for RAS-I treatment at the time of urine screening.
Discussion
Our study showed that approximately 30% of patients with Alport syndrome had the opportunity to be diagnosed through age-3 urine screening, and among them, more than half were already eligible for RAS-I treatment. Urine screening may be an optimal method for contributing to a delay in the progression to ESKD in patients with Alport syndrome.
{"title":"Impact of Age-3 Urine Screening on Diagnosis and Treatment Timing in Alport Syndrome","authors":"Hideaki Kitakado , Shingo Ishimori , Shuhei Aoyama , Yuka Kimura , Yuta Inoki , Chika Ueda , Yu Tanaka , Tomoko Horinouchi , Tomohiko Yamamura , Nana Sakakibara , China Nagano , Kandai Nozu","doi":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Alport syndrome is an inherited kidney disease that leads to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to pathogenic variants in <em>COL4A3</em>/<em>4</em>/<em>5</em>, which encode type IV collagen. Promptly identifying patients with Alport syndrome and starting treatment with a renin–angiotensin system inhibitor (RAS-I) is important for delaying progression to ESKD. In Japan, public urine screening is available for all children aged 3 years.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patients genetically diagnosed with Alport syndrome at our department between August 2015 and May 2024, who were aged ≤ 18 years, were included in the study. We evaluated their clinical and genetic characteristics and identified the circumstances under which abnormal urine findings were first detected, with a focus on the role of urine screening at the age of 3 years (age-3 urine screening).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 356 patients with Alport syndrome were eligible for this study. The most common setting for detecting urine abnormalities for the first time was during age-3 urine screening (<em>n</em> = 113, 31.7%). The inherited forms were as follows: X-linked (XL) female (43.3%), XL male (30.1%), autosomal dominant (AD) (19.5%), and autosomal recessive (AR) (6.2%) Alport syndrome. In addition, 60.2% of these patients already met the criteria for RAS-I treatment at the time of urine screening.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Our study showed that approximately 30% of patients with Alport syndrome had the opportunity to be diagnosed through age-3 urine screening, and among them, more than half were already eligible for RAS-I treatment. Urine screening may be an optimal method for contributing to a delay in the progression to ESKD in patients with Alport syndrome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17761,"journal":{"name":"Kidney International Reports","volume":"10 12","pages":"Pages 4234-4240"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145651850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.045
Louise McAlister , Vanessa Shaw , Pearl Pugh , Triona Joyce , Evelien Snauwaert , Fionna Bathgate , Charlotte Holt , Caroline Anderson , An Desloovere , José Renken-Terhaerdt , Maria Rosa Grassi , Sevcan Bakkaloğlu , Gulsah Sahin , Rukshana Shroff , Kelly Lambert
Introduction
Managing mineral and bone disorder in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires control of serum phosphate levels. However, hyperphosphatemia is common, particularly in adolescents, reflecting suboptimal adherence to phosphate-binder medications and a reduced phosphate diet. We explored phosphate-related knowledge and adherence barriers in children, and their caregivers, using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study design.
Methods
Children aged 8 to 18 years with CKD stages 4 and 5, on dialysis or post-transplantation, and caregivers, were recruited from 3 UK pediatric kidney centers. The Phosphate Understanding and Knowledge Assessment questionnaire was used to assess knowledge. Online focus groups explored real-world challenges to phosphate control.
Results
Forty-eight children and 43 caregivers were recruited; 44 (92%) children and 33 (75%) caregivers completed the questionnaire. Median knowledge scores were 64.3% (interquartile range, 55.3–78.6) for children and 72.7% (interquartile range, 64.3–85.7) for caregivers (P = 0.04). Older children scored higher (P = 0.01, R2 = 0.13), but knowledge did not correlate with serum phosphate. Dietary restriction was perceived as more challenging than using phosphate-binders (59% children; 71% caregivers). Forty-six participants, including 30 child-caregiver dyads, joined focus groups. The following 5 themes were identified encapsulating the experiences of families: practical advice and support are valued; personalized strategies are preferred to facilitate sense-making; the social environment of the child and family is disrupted; education and self-management skills can influence success; and the journey requires acceptance, adaptation, and perseverance.
Conclusions
In pediatric CKD, poor adherence to phosphate advice originates more from social and practical barriers than knowledge deficits. Our findings can inform personalized strategies to improve adherence in real-world settings.
{"title":"Barriers to and Facilitators of Phosphate Control in Children With CKD","authors":"Louise McAlister , Vanessa Shaw , Pearl Pugh , Triona Joyce , Evelien Snauwaert , Fionna Bathgate , Charlotte Holt , Caroline Anderson , An Desloovere , José Renken-Terhaerdt , Maria Rosa Grassi , Sevcan Bakkaloğlu , Gulsah Sahin , Rukshana Shroff , Kelly Lambert","doi":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.045","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.045","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Managing mineral and bone disorder in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires control of serum phosphate levels. However, hyperphosphatemia is common, particularly in adolescents, reflecting suboptimal adherence to phosphate-binder medications and a reduced phosphate diet. We explored phosphate-related knowledge and adherence barriers in children, and their caregivers, using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study design.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Children aged 8 to 18 years with CKD stages 4 and 5, on dialysis or post-transplantation, and caregivers, were recruited from 3 UK pediatric kidney centers. The Phosphate Understanding and Knowledge Assessment questionnaire was used to assess knowledge. Online focus groups explored real-world challenges to phosphate control.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Forty-eight children and 43 caregivers were recruited; 44 (92%) children and 33 (75%) caregivers completed the questionnaire. Median knowledge scores were 64.3% (interquartile range, 55.3–78.6) for children and 72.7% (interquartile range, 64.3–85.7) for caregivers (<em>P</em> = 0.04). Older children scored higher (<em>P</em> = 0.01, <em>R</em><sup>2</sup> = 0.13), but knowledge did not correlate with serum phosphate. Dietary restriction was perceived as more challenging than using phosphate-binders (59% children; 71% caregivers). Forty-six participants, including 30 child-caregiver dyads, joined focus groups. The following 5 themes were identified encapsulating the experiences of families: practical advice and support are valued; personalized strategies are preferred to facilitate sense-making; the social environment of the child and family is disrupted; education and self-management skills can influence success; and the journey requires acceptance, adaptation, and perseverance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In pediatric CKD, poor adherence to phosphate advice originates more from social and practical barriers than knowledge deficits. Our findings can inform personalized strategies to improve adherence in real-world settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17761,"journal":{"name":"Kidney International Reports","volume":"10 12","pages":"Pages 4252-4263"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145651856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.015
Alexandra C. Bicki , Sang M. Nguyen , Gabriela Accetta Rojas , David V. Glidden , Barbara Grimes , Elaine Ku
{"title":"Reduced Access to Second Kidney Transplantation Among Adolescent Girls","authors":"Alexandra C. Bicki , Sang M. Nguyen , Gabriela Accetta Rojas , David V. Glidden , Barbara Grimes , Elaine Ku","doi":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.015","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17761,"journal":{"name":"Kidney International Reports","volume":"10 12","pages":"Pages 4268-4271"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145651858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.10.006
Krithika Mohan , Kenneth J. Woodside
{"title":"Frailty Matters—But Contextualize the Clinical Decision","authors":"Krithika Mohan , Kenneth J. Woodside","doi":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.10.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.10.006","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17761,"journal":{"name":"Kidney International Reports","volume":"10 12","pages":"Pages 4142-4144"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145651833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.012
Emily J.S. Steinbach , Lucas D.G. Barrett , Chu-Yu Lee , McKade A. Poirier , Diana Zepeda-Orozco , Diana I. Jalal , Janice M.R. Staber , Levi P. Sowers , Vincent A. Magnotta , Ellen van der Plas , Lyndsay A. Harshman
{"title":"Central Nervous System Iron Content in Pediatric CKD","authors":"Emily J.S. Steinbach , Lucas D.G. Barrett , Chu-Yu Lee , McKade A. Poirier , Diana Zepeda-Orozco , Diana I. Jalal , Janice M.R. Staber , Levi P. Sowers , Vincent A. Magnotta , Ellen van der Plas , Lyndsay A. Harshman","doi":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.012","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17761,"journal":{"name":"Kidney International Reports","volume":"10 12","pages":"Pages 4264-4267"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145651857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.10.003
Jens Christian König , Mareike Dahmer-Heath , Martin Konrad
{"title":"Response to the Letter to the Editor Entitled “From Variant of Unknown Significance to Likely Pathogenic: Adult-Onset - Nephronophthisis Linked to NPHP4 p.T680M”","authors":"Jens Christian König , Mareike Dahmer-Heath , Martin Konrad","doi":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17761,"journal":{"name":"Kidney International Reports","volume":"10 12","pages":"Pages 4313-4314"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145651852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.048
Milagros Fernández Lucas , Alfonso Muriel , Nuria Rodríguez Mendiola , Jose Luis Merino , Andrea Collado , Martha Elizabeth Díaz Domínguez , Gloria Ruíz-Roso , Rafáel Sánchez , Jose Antonio Herrero , Hanane Bouarich , Virginia López de la Manzanara , Javier Zamora
Introduction
This study presents the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing incremental hemodiafiltration (HDF) (i-HDF), beginning with twice-weekly sessions, to conventional thrice-weekly HDF (c-HDF) in incident dialysis patients with preserved residual kidney function (RKF): urea clearance (KrU) ≥ 2.5 ml/min.
Methods
In this multicenter, open-label trial, 150 patients were randomized 1:1 to either i-HDF (n = 77) or c-HDF (n = 73), regardless of comorbidity burden. The primary outcome was the decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over 12 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in RKF (measured by 24-hour urine output, KrU, and creatinine clearance [KrCr]), incidence of anuria, hospital admissions, mortality, quality of life (using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36), and the total number of HDF sessions.
Results
No significant differences were found between groups in GFR decline, RKF parameters, or clinical outcomes such as hospitalizations, mortality, or anuria (5 cases in i-HDF vs. 4 in c-HDF). At 6 months, the i-HDF group reported slight improvements in quality of life, particularly in disease burden domains, though these gains diminished by 12 months. Fifteen patients in the i-HDF group transitioned to thrice-weekly HDF after an average of 193 days, and none refused the increase in frequency when indicated. The i-HDF group received significantly fewer dialysis sessions annually (69.1 vs. 122.6).
Conclusion
Incremental HDF is a safe and effective option for patients with preserved RKF, offering similar clinical outcomes to conventional schedules, with modest short-term quality-of-life benefits and substantial resource savings. Further trials are needed to validate these findings and assess patient preferences and cost-effectiveness.
{"title":"Randomized Trial of Twice-Weekly Versus Thrice-Weekly Hemodiafiltration for Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy","authors":"Milagros Fernández Lucas , Alfonso Muriel , Nuria Rodríguez Mendiola , Jose Luis Merino , Andrea Collado , Martha Elizabeth Díaz Domínguez , Gloria Ruíz-Roso , Rafáel Sánchez , Jose Antonio Herrero , Hanane Bouarich , Virginia López de la Manzanara , Javier Zamora","doi":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>This study presents the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing incremental hemodiafiltration (HDF) (i-HDF), beginning with twice-weekly sessions, to conventional thrice-weekly HDF (c-HDF) in incident dialysis patients with preserved residual kidney function (RKF): urea clearance (KrU) ≥ 2.5 ml/min.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this multicenter, open-label trial, 150 patients were randomized 1:1 to either i-HDF (<em>n</em> = 77) or c-HDF (<em>n</em> = 73), regardless of comorbidity burden. The primary outcome was the decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over 12 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in RKF (measured by 24-hour urine output, KrU, and creatinine clearance [KrCr]), incidence of anuria, hospital admissions, mortality, quality of life (using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36), and the total number of HDF sessions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No significant differences were found between groups in GFR decline, RKF parameters, or clinical outcomes such as hospitalizations, mortality, or anuria (5 cases in i-HDF vs. 4 in c-HDF). At 6 months, the i-HDF group reported slight improvements in quality of life, particularly in disease burden domains, though these gains diminished by 12 months. Fifteen patients in the i-HDF group transitioned to thrice-weekly HDF after an average of 193 days, and none refused the increase in frequency when indicated. The i-HDF group received significantly fewer dialysis sessions annually (69.1 vs. 122.6).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Incremental HDF is a safe and effective option for patients with preserved RKF, offering similar clinical outcomes to conventional schedules, with modest short-term quality-of-life benefits and substantial resource savings. Further trials are needed to validate these findings and assess patient preferences and cost-effectiveness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17761,"journal":{"name":"Kidney International Reports","volume":"10 12","pages":"Pages 4188-4198"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145651862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.028
Nathan J. Bekelman , Laura Pyle , Ye Ji Choi , Hailey E. Hampson , Phoom Narongkiatikhun , Jairo A. Pinzón Cortés , Kalie L. Tommerdahl , Petter Bjornstad
{"title":"Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in Young Persons With Obesity or Diabetes and Hyperfiltration","authors":"Nathan J. Bekelman , Laura Pyle , Ye Ji Choi , Hailey E. Hampson , Phoom Narongkiatikhun , Jairo A. Pinzón Cortés , Kalie L. Tommerdahl , Petter Bjornstad","doi":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.028","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17761,"journal":{"name":"Kidney International Reports","volume":"10 12","pages":"Pages 4281-4284"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145651997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.023
Chintan V. Shah , Erin M. Kim , Akash Mathavan , Akshay Mathavan , Nikita Shah , Maria Ilyas , Jacqueline Nguyen , I. David Weiner
{"title":"Incidence of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–Associated Renal Tubular Acidosis","authors":"Chintan V. Shah , Erin M. Kim , Akash Mathavan , Akshay Mathavan , Nikita Shah , Maria Ilyas , Jacqueline Nguyen , I. David Weiner","doi":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ekir.2025.09.023","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17761,"journal":{"name":"Kidney International Reports","volume":"10 12","pages":"Pages 4285-4288"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145652054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}