Pediatric intestinal failure (PIF) outcomes have lately improved, with additional comorbidities, such as increased echogenicity/nephrocalcinosis on ultrasound (US), now visible in long-term survivors. The study looked at the progression of nephrocalcinosis in PIF and how it affected renal function. A group of PIF patients was studied retrospectively. Over a two-year follow-up period, the presence of nephrocalcinosis and/or increased renal echogenicity, estimated glomerular filtration rate, renal tubular function, PN volume, and PN exposure duration were all evaluated yearly. The outcomes of nephrocalcinosis and normal US groups were compared. For two years, forty patients were followed. At the time of the first US, fifteen patients exhibited either enhanced echogenicity or nephrocalcinosis. On initial evaluation, the United States was normal in the remaining 25 countries. At baseline and year 2, there was no difference in eGFR between groups 1 and 2. At year 2, the percentage of patients with aberrant tubular function markers was comparable in both groups.
In the US, a high proportion of PIF patients with a history of parenteral nutrition (PN) show nephrocalcinosis and/or enhanced echogenicity. These aberrations, however, had no effect on eGFR or renal tubular function throughout a 2-year follow-up period.
Reference: https://journals.lww.com/jpgn/Abstract/2020/12000/Nephrocalcinosis_and_Renal_Dysfunction_in.19.aspx
