High Blood Pressure in Children with Hydronephrosis

The most common cause of secondary hypertension is intrinsic renal disease, but little is known about the influence of hydronephrosis on blood pressure. In this thesis, the risk of development of hypertension in children with hydronephrosis was studied. Experimental and clinical studies were combined in order to investigate the risk of developing elevated blood pressure following conservative treatment of hydronephrosis, and to further explore underlying mechanisms. We started with a clinical study in children (study I), which in agreement with previous experimental studies, showed that blood pressure was lowered by surgical management of hydronephrosis. In parallel, an experimental study was conducted (study II) to investigate the involvement of renal sympathetic nerve activity in development of hypertension following induction of hydronephrosis caused by pelvo-ureteric junction obstruction. Renal denervation of the obstructed kidney attenuated hypertension and restored the renal excretion pattern, effects that were associated with reduced activity of both renal NADPH oxidase derived oxidative stress and components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Based on the findings in studies I and II, we continued our studies in children with hydronephrosis, and including two control groups as comparisons with the hydronephrotic group (study III). In the same study, we further investigated potential mechanism(s) of hypertension by analyzing markers of oxidative stress and nitric oxide homeostasis in both urine and blood samples. We demonstrated increased arterial pressure and oxidative stress in children with hydronephrosis compared with healthy controls, which was restored to normal levels by surgical correction of the obstruction. Finally, in a retrospective cohort study, blood pressure of adult patients undergoing surgical management of hydronephrosis due to pelvo-ureteric junction obstruction was assessed (study IV). Similar to that demonstrated in the pediatric hydronephrotic population, blood pressure was significantly reduced by relief of the obstruction. In addition, blood pressure was increased again if the hydronephrosis recurred, and was reduced again following re-operation. It is concluded that conservative management of hydronephrosis in children is associated with a risk for development of high blood pressure, which can be reduced or even normalized by relief of the obstruction. The mechanism(s), at least in part, is coupled to increased oxidative stress

High Blood Pressure in Children with Hydronephrosis

The most common cause of secondary hypertension is intrinsic renal disease, but little is known about the influence of hydronephrosis on blood pressure. In this thesis, the risk of development of hypertension in children with hydronephrosis was studied. Experimental and clinical studies were combined in order to investigate the risk of developing elevated blood pressure following conservative treatment of hydronephrosis, and to further explore underlying mechanisms. We started with a clinical study in children (study I), which in agreement with previous experimental studies, showed that blood pressure was lowered by surgical management of hydronephrosis. In parallel, an experimental study was conducted (study II) to investigate the involvement of renal sympathetic nerve activity in development of hypertension following induction of hydronephrosis caused by pelvo-ureteric junction obstruction. Renal denervation of the obstructed kidney attenuated hypertension and restored the renal excretion pattern, effects that were associated with reduced activity of both renal NADPH oxidase derived oxidative stress and components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Based on the findings in studies I and II, we continued our studies in children with hydronephrosis, and including two control groups as comparisons with the hydronephrotic group (study III). In the same study, we further investigated potential mechanism(s) of hypertension by analyzing markers of oxidative stress and nitric oxide homeostasis in both urine and blood samples. We demonstrated increased arterial pressure and oxidative stress in children with hydronephrosis compared with healthy controls, which was restored to normal levels by surgical correction of the obstruction. Finally, in a retrospective cohort study, blood pressure of adult patients undergoing surgical management of hydronephrosis due to pelvo-ureteric junction obstruction was assessed (study IV). Similar to that demonstrated in the pediatric hydronephrotic population, blood pressure was significantly reduced by relief of the obstruction. In addition, blood pressure was increased again if the hydronephrosis recurred, and was reduced again following re-operation. It is concluded that conservative management of hydronephrosis in children is associated with a risk for development of high blood pressure, which can be reduced or even normalized by relief of the obstruction. The mechanism(s), at least in part, is coupled to increased oxidative stress

High Blood Pressure in Children with Hydronephrosis

The most common cause of secondary hypertension is intrinsic renal disease, but little is known about the influence of hydronephrosis on blood pressure. In this thesis, the risk of development of hypertension in children with hydronephrosis was studied. Experimental and clinical studies were combined in order to investigate the risk of developing elevated blood pressure following conservative treatment of hydronephrosis, and to further explore underlying mechanisms. We started with a clinical study in children (study I), which in agreement with previous experimental studies, showed that blood pressure was lowered by surgical management of hydronephrosis. In parallel, an experimental study was conducted (study II) to investigate the involvement of renal sympathetic nerve activity in development of hypertension following induction of hydronephrosis caused by pelvo-ureteric junction obstruction. Renal denervation of the obstructed kidney attenuated hypertension and restored the renal excretion pattern, effects that were associated with reduced activity of both renal NADPH oxidase derived oxidative stress and components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Based on the findings in studies I and II, we continued our studies in children with hydronephrosis, and including two control groups as comparisons with the hydronephrotic group (study III). In the same study, we further investigated potential mechanism(s) of hypertension by analyzing markers of oxidative stress and nitric oxide homeostasis in both urine and blood samples. We demonstrated increased arterial pressure and oxidative stress in children with hydronephrosis compared with healthy controls, which was restored to normal levels by surgical correction of the obstruction. Finally, in a retrospective cohort study, blood pressure of adult patients undergoing surgical management of hydronephrosis due to pelvo-ureteric junction obstruction was assessed (study IV). Similar to that demonstrated in the pediatric hydronephrotic population, blood pressure was significantly reduced by relief of the obstruction. In addition, blood pressure was increased again if the hydronephrosis recurred, and was reduced again following re-operation. It is concluded that conservative management of hydronephrosis in children is associated with a risk for development of high blood pressure, which can be reduced or even normalized by relief of the obstruction. The mechanism(s), at least in part, is coupled to increased oxidative stress

Rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma presenting in a child as a perineal mass

Rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma (RMH) is a rare hamartomatous lesion in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It is mostly found in the face and neck region of children. We report a case of solitary RMH located in the perineum of an 8-month-old boy. Microscopic examination of specimen showed a disordered collection of mature adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, adnexal elements and nerve bundles, and immunohistochemistry confirmed a RMH. This case emphasizes the possibility of RMH in the perineum of the children. Even if RMH is a rare condition in the perineum it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of a perineal mass in children

Functional outcome and health-related quality of life in patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma – a Swedish multicenter study

Background/Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate bowel and urinary tract function, to identify predictors for dysfunctional outcome and to evaluate health-related quality-of life (QoL) in patients treated for sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCT). Methods: Medical records of patients with SCT born between 1985 and 2015 treated at three Swedish pediatric surgical centers were reviewed. Questionnaires regarding urinary tract function, bowel function and QoL were sent to patients and parents. Different QoL instruments were used for the different age groups. Results: Totally 85 patients were identified. Four patients died in the neonatal period. Forty-nine patients answered the questionnaires (60%). Median age at follow-up was 8.9 years (range 3.6–28.8). Bowel dysfunction was reported by 36% and urinary tract dysfunction by 46% of the patients. Univariate analysis revealed that urinary tract dysfunction correlated with gestational age (p = 0.018) and immature histology (p = 0.008), and bowel dysfunction correlated with gestational age (p = 0.016) and tumor size (p = 0.042). Low gestational age was an independent predictor for both urinary tract and bowel dysfunction. Good or very good QoL was reported by 56% of children aged 4–7 years, 90% of children aged 8–17 years and 67% of the adults. Conclusion: Although a considerable proportion of bowel and urinary tract dysfunction was found, the reported QoL was good in a majority of the patients with SCT. Low gestational age was found to be a predictor for bowel- and urinary tract dysfunction. Level of Evidence: Level III

Changes of arterial pressure following relief of obstruction in adults with hydronephrosis

Background: As much as 20% of all cases of hypertension are associated with kidney malfunctions. We have previously demonstrated in animals and in pediatric patients that hydronephrosis causes hypertension, which was attenuated by surgical relief of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate: (1) the proposed link between hydronephrosis, due to UPJ obstruction, and elevated arterial pressure in adults; and (2) if elevated blood pressure in patients with hydronephrosis might be another indication for surgery. Materials and methods: Medical records of 212 patients undergoing surgical management of hydronephrosis, due to UPJ obstruction, between 2000 and 2016 were assessed. After excluding patients with confounding conditions and treatments, paired arterial pressures (i.e. before/after surgery) were compared in 49 patients (35 years old; 95% CI 29–39). Split renal function was evaluated by using mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) renography before surgical management of the hydronephrotic kidney. Results: Systolic (−11 mmHg; 95% CI 6–15 mmHg), diastolic (−8 mmHg; 95% CI 4–11 mmHg), and mean arterial (-9 mmHg; 95% CI 6–12) pressures were significantly reduced after relief of the obstruction (p < 0.001). Split renal function of the hydronephrotic kidney was 39% (95% CI 37–41). No correlations were found between MAG3 and blood pressure level before surgery or between MAG3 and the reduction of blood pressure after surgical management of the UPJ obstruction. Conclusions: In adults with hydronephrosis, blood pressure was reduced following relief of the obstruction. Our findings suggest that elevated arterial pressure should be taken into account as an indication to surgically correct hydronephrosis

Changes in arterial pressure and markers of nitric oxide homeostasis and oxidative stress following surgical correction of hydronephrosis in children

Objective Recent clinical studies have suggested an increased risk of elevated arterial pressure in patients with hydronephrosis. Animals with experimentally induced hydronephrosis develop hypertension, which is correlated to the degree of obstruction and increased oxidative stress. In this prospective study we investigated changes in arterial pressure, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis following correction of hydronephrosis. Methods Ambulatory arterial pressure (24 h) was monitored in pediatric patients with hydronephrosis (n = 15) before and after surgical correction, and the measurements were compared with arterial pressure measurements in two control groups, i.e. healthy controls (n = 8) and operated controls (n = 8). Markers of oxidative stress and NO homeostasis were analyzed in matched urine and plasma samples. Results The preoperative mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in hydronephrotic patients [83 mmHg; 95% confidence interval (CI) 80–88 mmHg] than in healthy controls (74 mmHg; 95% CI 68–80 mmHg; p < 0.05), and surgical correction of ureteral obstruction reduced arterial pressure (76 mmHg; 95% CI 74–79 mmHg; p < 0.05). Markers of oxidative stress (i.e., 11- dehydroTXB2, PGF2α, 8-iso-PGF2α, 8,12-iso-iPF2α-VI) were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in patients with hydronephrosis compared with both control groups, and these were reduced following surgery (p < 0.05). Interestingly, there was a trend for increased NO synthase activity and signaling in hydronephrosis, which may indicate compensatory mechanism(s). Conclusion This study demonstrates increased arterial pressure and oxidative stress in children with hydronephrosis compared with healthy controls, which can be restored to normal levels by surgical correction of the obstruction. Once reference data on ambulatory blood pressure in this young age group become available, we hope cut-off values can be defined for deciding whether or not to correct hydronephrosis surgically. Keywords Blood pressure . Hydronephrosis . Hypertension . Nitric oxide . Oxidative stress . Ureteral obstruction