title: Safety and complications of percutaneous kidney biopsies in 715 children and 8573 adults in Norway 1988-2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Skepticism about performing renal biopsies is often because of uncertainty regarding risk of complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and relevant complications of renal biopsies in pediatric and adult patients in a large national registry study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kidney biopsies reported in the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry from 1988 to 2010 were included. Risk factors for major complications (blood transfusion and/or surgical or catheter intervention) were analyzed using logistic regression statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 9288 biopsies included, 715 were from children, and 8573 were from adults (≥18 years). Median age was 49 years (range=2 weeks to 94 years). Gross hematuria appeared after biopsy in 1.9% of the patients; 0.9% of patients needed blood transfusion, and 0.2% of patients needed surgical intervention/catheterization. The frequencies were 1.9%, 0.9%, and 0.2% in adults and 1.7%, 0.1% and 0.1% in children, respectively; 97.9% of the biopsies were without complications. In unadjusted analyses, risk factors for major complications were age>60 years, estimated GFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), systolic hypertension, acute renal failure, and smaller clinical center size (<30 biopsies/yr). Adjusted analyses (adjusted for age and/or estimated GFR) showed higher odds ratios (OR) only for smaller clinical center (OR=1.60 [1.02-2.50]) and low estimated GFR (estimated GFR=30-59 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) [OR=4.90 (1.60-14.00)] and estimated GFR<30 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) [OR 15.50 (5.60-43.00)]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous renal biopsy is a low-risk procedure in all ages. Reduced estimated GFR and smaller center size are associated with an increased risk of major complications.
authors: Renal Research Group, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. camilla.tondel@med.uib.no
authors: Camilla
authors: C
authors: Tøndel
authors: Bjørn Egil
authors: BE
authors: Vikse
authors: Leif
authors: L
authors: Bostad
authors: Einar
authors: E
authors: Svarstad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006417:Hematuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D016017:Odds Ratio; D061214:Patient Safety; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult