title: Transition of children with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis to adolescence and adulthood.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many chronic renal diseases in children, including membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), often continue into adulthood, and these patients require continuing management. Despite the importance of the topic, there has been limited discussion about the problems of transition in children with continuing renal disease. We report our experience in patients with MPGN, as they matured from childhood to adolescence and adulthood, so-called "carry-over" cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical course of diffuse MPGN in 27 children was retrospectively reviewed. Patients were over 18 years old at the end of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up period was 12.6 years; 20 children (74%) were identified by school urinary screening. The clinical course was favorable, and none of the patients progressed to end-stage renal failure during follow-up. However, eight patients (30%) continued to demonstrate proteinuria; two patients were nephrotic. Four patients were non-compliant and discontinued medication by themselves. Three patients were still on low dose of alternate-day (ALD) prednisolone. Twenty patients finished the treatment and were followed for an average of 4.6 years. Only one demonstrated trace amounts of proteinuria 1 year after discontinuing ALD prednisolone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MPGN often continues during maturation from childhood to adulthood, and patients are usually referred to adult nephrologists. Good communication between pediatric and adult nephrologists is important. In addition, more in depth explanation and reeducation about their disease and its management are helpful when these patients reach adolescence. These measures will improve their care and help to assure compliance with their medication regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, International University of Health and Welfare, Atami Hospital, 13-1 Higashikaigan-cho, Atami, Shizuoka 413-0012, Japan. k.iitaka@iuhw.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kikuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iitaka
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Motoyama
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Hiroe
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koshino
authors.forename: Tadasu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009398:Nephrology; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010372:Pediatrics; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology