Adolescence-onset atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: is it different from infant-onset?


Celegen K., GÜLHAN B., Fidan K., YÜKSEL S., Yilmaz N., Yılmaz A. C., ...More

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10157-024-02505-7
  • Journal Name: Clinical and Experimental Nephrology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Keywords: Adolescence, Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, Complement, Genetics, Turkish aHUS registry
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare, mostly complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy. The majority of patients are infants. In contrast to infantile-onset aHUS, the clinical and genetic characteristics of adolescence-onset aHUS have not been sufficiently addressed to date. Methods: A total of 28 patients (21 girls, 7 boys) who were diagnosed as aHUS between the ages of ≥10 years and <18 years were included in this study. All available data in the Turkish Pediatric aHUS registry were collected and analyzed. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 12.8±2.3 years. Extra-renal involvement was noted in 13 patients (46.4%); neurological involvement was the most common (32%). A total of 21 patients (75%) required kidney replacement therapy. Five patients (17.8%) received only plasma therapy and 23 (82%) of the patients received eculizumab. Hematologic remission and renal remission were achieved in 25 (89.3%) and 17 (60.7%) of the patients, respectively. Compared with the infantile-onset aHUS patients, adolescent patients had a lower complete remission rate during the first episode (p = 0.002). Genetic analyses were performed in all and a genetic variant was detected in 39.3% of the patients. The mean follow-up duration was 4.9±2.6 years. At the last visit, adolescent patients had lower eGFR levels (p = 0.03) and higher rates of chronic kidney disease stage 5 when compared to infantile-onset aHUS patients (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Adolescence-onset aHUS is a rare disease but tends to cause more permanent renal dysfunction than infantile-onset aHUS. These results may modify the management approaches in these patients.