title: Treating severe Henoch-Schönlein and IgA nephritis with plasmapheresis alone.
abstract: The aim of our study was to determine the outcome of children with severe Henoch-Schönlein nephritis (HSN) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephritis (IgAN) treated with early plasmapheresis alone. Children with acute renal impairment, heavy proteinuria or both and histology greater than grade 3 were treated with early plasmapheresis alone. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated from plasma creatinine (eGFR), urine albumin:creatinine ratio (UA/UC) and blood pressure 2 weeks after treatment and were measured at the last follow-up. Sixteen children (14 HSN, 2 IgAN) had a mean eGFR of 56 (17-136) ml/min per 1.73 m2 and UA/UC of 590 (12-1,379) mg/mmol. Fifteen were referred at presentation and one after 2 months, and all commenced plasmapheresis within 6 (2-13) days. All had at least nine exchanges of 90 ml/kg over 2 weeks. At 2 weeks, the eGFR had increased by 51 (95% CI 34-68; P=0.002), and the UA/UC fell by 457 (95% CI 241-673; P=0.0001). At last review after 4 (1-7.5) years, the late-referred child had required a renal transplant but the other 15 had normal eGFRs (98-142), did not require hypotensive medication, and had normal or minimally elevated UA/UC (maximum 42). Children with severe HSN and IgAN recover well if treated with plasmapheresis alone without the need for immunosuppressive therapy. A randomised trial is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, NE1 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Mohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shenoy
authors.forename: Milos V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Ognjanovic
authors.forename: Malcolm G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Coulthard
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome