title: Safety and adequacy of percutaneous biopsies in pediatric orthotopic kidney transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The gold standard for investigating the cause of renal graft dysfunction is renal biopsy. However, as this procedure is invasive and has inherent risks, its safety must be established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the safety of percutaneous renal biopsy in pediatric orthotopic renal transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Percutaneous renal biopsies performed on pediatric orthotopic renal transplants in a single center between 1987 and 2010 were studied. Biopsy specimen adequacy and post-procedure complications were reviewed by prospectively collected data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 54 ultrasound "real-time" guided biopsies in 25 patients were performed. Minimum specimen adequacy was achieved in 98% of biopsy specimens. No major complications were identified; 6% of patients developed minor complications-e.g., grade 3 macroscopic hematuria that did not require intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous renal biopsies using "real-time" ultrasound guidance on pediatric orthotopic kidney transplants is safe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick and East Coast Renal Transplant Service, Sydney, Australia ; The University of New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Mackie
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick and East Coast Renal Transplant Service, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick and East Coast Renal Transplant Service, Sydney, Australia ; The University of New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick and East Coast Renal Transplant Service, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kainer
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplant Surgery, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick and East Coast Renal Transplant Service, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Frawley
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplant Surgery, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick and East Coast Renal Transplant Service, Sydney, Australia ; The University of New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Haghighi
keywords: Biopsy; Kidney transplantation; Pediatrics; Safety