Rapid national survey of renal stones in New Zealand infants.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine if there have been recent serious renal problems because of melamine among infants in New Zealand.


METHODS
New Zealand paediatricians were surveyed in October 2008 using the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit network.


RESULTS
Two cases of renal stones and none of unexplained renal failure in the previous 12 months were reported. Both cases of renal stones had an identifiable cause, and neither had features of melamine-related stones.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey confirmed the expectation that this was not a discernible problem of recent serious melamine-associated renal damage in New Zealand. The method did however prove to be an effective way of undertaking a rapid determination of a possible recent serious health problem among children.
New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. nigel.dickson@otago.ac.nz
Nigel
N
Dickson
Tonya
T
Kara
Pat
P
Tuohy
D005506:Food Contamination; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009520:New Zealand; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014227:Triazines; C011907:melamine