title: GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE PROFILES IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS ON CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY AT THE KENYATTA NATIONAL HOSPITAL, KENYA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An accurate estimation of renal function in children is important in optimising the dose of many drugs used in paediatric oncology for allowing clinical monitoring of the nephrotoxic effects of cytotoxic agents such as cisplatin. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is widely accepted as the best index of renal function in patients. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment in the paediatric oncology unit at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the glomerular filtration rate profiles of paediatric oncology patients and to assess changes that had occured over a period of at least six months of continuing cancer chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional hospital based survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  General Paediatric wards, including Paediatric Oncology and Paediatric Ophthalmology ward. Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Subjects: Paediatric patients who had an established diagnosis of cancer and had been on chemotherapy for at least six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 115 children enrolledin the study 43 had abnormal kidney function, This gave a prevalence of 37% (95% CI 28-46).The other 72 children had normal kidney function. Patients aged less than five years and those with solid tumors had a higher likelihood of having an abnormal GFR compared to their older counterparts and thosc with-lymphomas and leukemias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monitoring of GFR should be done regularly as decline occurs as one continues on chemotherapy especially for the ones below five years and those witl solid malignancies.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mburu
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Wamalwa
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bashir
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Wainaina
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin