REPRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF RURAL MALAGASY HOUSEHOLDS

Madagascar is committed to implementing local financial services to facilitate rural households' access to these various services and promote rural development. The objective of the study is to understand the realities of the financing system in rural areas and more particularly in the rural commune of Alakamisy Itenina in vohibato district, and this, through the experience of rural households that determine the different financial needs and their financial priority. Using the Schwartz formula, surveys of 81 households were statistically treated. The results show that rural households prioritize social needs by meeting the social obligations dictated by fihavanana. The first place of the social obligations is perceived through the attachment to the traditional practice by the proverb “atero k'alao” which means "one receives by giving". This is how behavioural logic has been observed in localities far from financial services. Changing this behavioral logic turns out to be the best option. Rural households should accept new forms of financial innovation.

Long-term renal outcome in methylmalonic acidemia in adolescents and adults

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the main long-term prognosis factors in methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), a rare disease of propionate catabolism. Our objective was to precisely address the clinical and biological characteristics of long-term CKD in MMA adolescent and adult patients. Patients and methods In this retrospective study, we included MMA patients older than 13 years who had not received kidney and/or liver transplantation. We explored tubular functions, with special attention to proximal tubular function. We measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) by iohexol clearance and compared it to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by Schwartz formula and CKD-EPI. Results Thirteen patients were included (M/F = 5/8). Median age was 24 years (13 to 32). Median mGFR was 57 mL/min/1.73 m2 (23.3 to 105 mL/min/1.73 m2). Ten out of 13 patients had mGFR below 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. No patient had significant glomerular proteinuria. No patient had complete Fanconi syndrome. Only one patient had biological signs suggestive of incomplete proximal tubulopathy. Four out of 13 patients had isolated potassium loss, related to a non-reabsorbable anion effect of urinary methylmalonate. Both Schwartz formula and CKD-EPI significantly overestimated GFR. Bias were respectively 16 ± 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 37 ± 22 mL/min/1.73 m2. Conclusion CKD is a common complication of the MMA. Usual equations overestimate GFR. Therefore, mGFR should be performed to inform therapeutic decisions such as dialysis and/or transplantation. Mild evidence of proximal tubular dysfunction was found in only one patient, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved.

Glomerular hyperfiltration in Yemeni children with sickle cell disease

Background: Glomerular hyperfiltration (GH) is a common feature of sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) starting at infancy and represents an early marker of incipient glomerular injury and renal dysfunction. Methods: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of GH among children (≤ 16 years) with sickle cell disease (SCD) at their steady state, recruited over 6 months at the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic in Al-Sadaqa General Teaching Hospital, Aden, Yemen. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated using the Schwartz formula. Data on clinical history, anthropometry, blood pressure (BP) and laboratory investigations were collected. Results: Of 101 children (mean age 7.2 ± 3.9 years), 65 (64.4%) were males. The prevalence of GH was observed in 36 (35.6%) children, who were significantly older (10.7 ± 3.2 vs. 5.2 ± 2.7 years, p < 0.001) and had a lower fetal Hb level (5 ± 3.3 vs. 9 ± 7.1, p = 0.02). All children were normotensive, but hyperfiltrating children showed significantly higher systolic (97.2 ± 7.3 vs. 89.7 ± 5.2 mmHg) and diastolic pressure (55.1 ± 5.0 vs. 49 ± 4.3 mmHg) (all p < 0.001). Among evaluated children, 25.7% had hyperfiltration alone, whereas 9.9% had an associated microalbuminuria (MA), and no significant difference in eGFR between those with and without MA (158.4 ± 33.7 vs. 160.7 ± 29.8 ml/min/173m2, p = 0.84). Conclusion: This study demonstrated a relatively high prevalence of GH in Yemeni children with SCD that increased with age. Recognition of hyperfiltration and other early markers of nephropathy in this population could help to develop renal protective strategies to prevent progressive loss of kidney function.

Examination of Nephrotoxicity in Survivors of Childhood Cancer and Comparison of Methods for Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate

Objective: Increased survival rates in childhood cancers have led the researchers to focus on long-term side effects and possible risk factors for late nephrotoxicity related to the treatment regimens applied. Our aim is to evaluate drug-induced nephrotoxicity in survivors of childhood cancer and to investigate the compatibility of creatinine clearance with the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Methods: The presence of glomerular and tubular dysfunction has been screened among 59 childhood cancer survivors who had completed their treatment regimens with cisplatin, carboplatin, ifosfamide, and /or high dose methotrexate. Results: The mean age of patients was 10.7±5.5 years (2.5-23), and mean follow-up time was 2.6±2.1 years (0.5-8). Renal dysfunction was detected in 65% of the patients. The most prevalent manifestation of renal dysfunction was decreased glomerular filtration rate (n: 19, 32.2%), and increased urinary β2-microglobulin excretion (n: 12, 20.4%), followed by microalbuminuria (n: 6, 10.1%). Survivors treated with combined chemotherapy regimens (cisplatin, carboplatin, ifosfamide) had significantly lower tubular reabsorption of phosphate than those treated with high dose of methotrexate. The glomerular filtration rate analysis was performed using different methods, and a moderate correlation (r=0.563, p=0.00) was found between estimated glomerular filtration rates calculated according to cystatin-C-based equations and Schwartz formula. Conclusion: Childhood cancer survivors demonstrated a high frequency of renal complications in the current study. We have shown that the calculation of the estimated glomerular filtration rate using the Schwartz formula or cystatin-C-based equations is compatible with the creatinine clearance in this specific patient group. In survivors of childhood cancer who cannot perform 24-hour urine collection, determination of estimated glomerular filtration rate is a more practical approach.

KIDNEY FUNCTION IN NEWBORN CHILDREN

Objective. The article discusses the problem of assessing renal function of the kidneys in premature babies born as a result of prematurely premature births with extremely low birth weight. Materials and methods. The functional state of the kidneys was evaluated in 148 children with ELBW and VLBW in the period from 1 to 90 days of postnatal age. The urine output rate, serum creatinine level, GFR calculation according to the Schwartz formula. Results. The results of the study showed that premature babies with ELBW are characterized by elevated serum creatinine levels and a low glomerular filtration rate, starting from the 4th day of life. An increase in GFR from the 3rd week of postnatal life significantly increases the likelihood of survival of premature babies with ELBW. The decrease in glomerular filtration rate in this contingent of children is associated not so much with kidney damage, but rather due to a more pronounced immaturity of nephrons Conclusion: Kidney function in preterm infants with ENMT is much lower than even in more mature children with ONHT. This is confirmed by high persistent levels of creatinine in serum and low SCF values throughout the neonatal period of life.

Reappraisal of the Optimal Dose of Meropenem in Critically Ill Infants and Children: a Developmental Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Analysis

ABSTRACT Data of developmental pharmacokinetics (PK) of meropenem in critically ill infants and children with severe infections are limited. We assessed the population PK and defined the appropriate regimen to optimize treatment in this population based on developmental PK-pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis. Blood samples were collected from pediatric intensive care unit patients with severe infection treated with standard dosage regimens for meropenem. Population PK data were analyzed using NONMEM software. Fifty-seven patients (mean age, 2.96 years [range, 0.101 to 14.4]; mean body weight, 15.8 kg [range, 5.0 to 65.0]) were included. A total of 135 meropenem concentrations were obtainable for population PK modeling. The median number of samples per patients was 2 (range, 1 to 4). A two-compartment model with first-order elimination was optimal for PK modeling. Weight and creatinine clearance (estimated by the Schwartz formula) were significantly correlated with the PK parameters of meropenem. The probabilities of target attainment for pathogens with low MICs of 1 and 2 μg/ml were 87.5% and 68.6% following administration of 40 mg/kg/dose (every 8 h [q8h]) as a 4-h infusion and 98.0% and 73.3% with high MICs of 4 and 8 μg/ml following administration of 110 mg/kg/day as a continuous infusion in critically ill infants and children under 70% fT>MIC (the free time during which the plasma concentration of meropenem exceeds the MIC), respectively. The standard dosage regimens for meropenem did not meet an appropriate PD target, and an optimal dosing regimen was established in critically ill infants and children. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT03643497.)

Practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Talangai Health District, Congo: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Objectives The objective of the study is to assess mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in the aim of improving the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. Study design An analytical knowledge, Attitudes and Practice (KAP) study about EBF on mothers of children aged 0-6 months was conducted. Methods Using SCHWARTZ formula, 362 mothers were included. The practice of EBF was determined based on a 24-h recall. The main variables studied were the socio-demographic characteristics of the mothers, their knowledge, attitudes and practices on EBF based on WHO recommendations A logistic regression analysis was performed and the odds ratio were calculated with 95% confidence interval. Results The prevalence of EBF among infants 0–6 months old was 33.9%. Mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices were unsatisfactory (78.4%), favourable (79.5%) and bad (67.2%) respectively. Factors associated with satisfactory knowledge were being a public official [OR: 3.18 (1.39-7.28)] and or multiparous, [OR: 2.25 (1.23-4.11)]. Mothers who had a satisfactory knowledge had a higher rating of having good practices on EBF. Conclusions Factors related to good knowledge among mothers are multiparity, age and being a civil servant. Promoters’EBF must target mothers in all sectors of activity and even in the community by sensitizing them on the subject.

Estimation of GFR in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have frequent infectious complications requiring nephrotoxic medications, necessitating monitoring of renal function. Although adult studies have suggested that cystatin C (CysC)-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) may be preferable due to reduced muscle mass of patients with CF, pediatric patients remain understudied. Objective: Our objective was to determine which eGFR formula is best for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in pediatric patients with CF. Methods: A total of 17 patients with CF treated with nephrotoxic antibiotics were recruited from the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada. 99Tc DTPA GFR (measured GFR [mGFR]) was measured with 4-point measurements starting at 120 minutes using a 2-compartmental model with Brøchner-Mortensen correction, with simultaneous measurement of creatinine, urea, and CysC. The eGFR was calculated using 16 known equations based on creatinine, urea, CysC, or combinations of these. Primary outcome measures were correlation with mGFR, and agreement within 10% for various eGFR equations. Results: Mean mGFR was 136 ± 21 mL/min/1.73 m2. Mean creatinine, CysC, and urea were 38 ± 10 μmol/L, 0.72 ± 0.08 mg/L, and 3.9 ± 1.4 mmol/L, respectively. The 2014 Grubb CysC eGFR had the best correlation coefficient ( r = 0.75, P = .0004); however, only 35% were within 10%. The new Schwartz formula with creatinine and urea had the best agreement within 10%, but a relatively low correlation coefficient ( r = 0.63, P = .0065, 64% within 10%). Conclusions: Our study suggests that none of the eGFR formulae work well in this small cohort of pediatric patients with CF with preserved body composition, possibly due to inflammation causing false elevations of CysC. Based on the small numbers, we cannot conclude which eGFR formula is best.