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Kidney disease profile and encountered problems during follow-up in Syrian refugee children: a multicenter retrospective study

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Abstract

Background

Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in conflict zones, especially those with chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate kidney disease profiles and problems during follow-up in a population of Syrian refugee children residing in Turkey.

Methods

Syrian refugee children aged between 0 and 18 years were included in the study. Demographic data, diagnosis, particular interventions due to nephrological problems, and problems encountered during follow-up were obtained from all participating pediatric nephrology centers.

Results

Data from 633 children from 22 pediatric nephrology centers were included. Mean age of the children was 94.8 ± 61.7 months and 375 were male (59%). 57.7% had parental consanguinity and 23.3% had a close relative(s) with kidney disease. The most common kidney diseases were congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) (31.0%), glomerular disease (19.9%), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (14.8%), and urolithiasis (10.7%). Frequent reasons for CAKUT were nonobstructive hydronephrosis (23.0%), vesico-ureteral reflux (18.4%), and neurogenic bladder (15.8%). The most common etiology of glomerular diseases was nephrotic syndrome (69%). Ninety-four children had CKD, and 58 children were on chronic dialysis. Six children had kidney transplantation. Surgical intervention was performed on 111 patients. The language barrier, lack of medical records, and frequent disruptions in periodic follow-ups were the main problems noted.

Conclusions

CAKUT, glomerular disease, and CKD were highly prevalent in Syrian refugee children. Knowing the frequency of chronic diseases and the problems encountered in refugees would facilitate better treatment options and preventive measures.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27310, Gaziantep, Turkey

    Ayse Balat, Beltinge Demircioglu Kilic, Mehtap Akbalik Kara & Mithat Buyukcelik

  2. Department of Pediatric Basic Sciences, Institute of Child Health, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Bagdagul Aksu

  3. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Bagdagul Aksu

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Bagdagul Aksu & Ayse Agbas

  5. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Fehime Kara Eroglu & Tulin Gungor

  6. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Health Sciences, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey

    Demet Alaygut

  7. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Nurdan Yildiz

  8. Department of Pediatrics, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey

    Funda Bastug

  9. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, School of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey

    Bahriye Atmis & Engin Melek

  10. Department of Pediatrics, Konya Dr. Ali Kemal Belviranli Maternity and Children’s Hospital, Konya, Turkey

    Midhat Elmaci

  11. Department of Pediatrics, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Sebahat Tulpar

  12. Department of Pediatrics, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Cemile Pehlivanoglu

  13. Department of Pediatrics, Mersin City Hospital, Mersin, Turkey

    Serra Surmeli Doven

  14. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey

    Elif Comak

  15. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, School of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey

    Yilmaz Tabel

  16. Department of Pediatrics, Aydin Maternity and Children’s Hospital, Aydin, Turkey

    Atilla Gemici

  17. Department of Pediatrics, Bursa Dortcelik Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey

    Berfin Uysal

  18. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey

    Gamze Seval Ozzorlar

  19. Department of Pediatrics, Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Nuran Kuçuk

  20. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey

    Ali Delibas

  21. Department of Pediatrics, Sariyer Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Gul Ozcelik

  22. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Goztepe Education and Research Hospital Istanbul, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Nilufer Goknar

  23. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey

    Ismail Dursun

  24. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital, Manisa, Turkey

    Pelin Ertan & Ipek Akil Ozunan

  25. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey

    Ferah Sonmez

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  1. Ayse Balat
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  2. Beltinge Demircioglu Kilic
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  22. Gamze Seval Ozzorlar
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  23. Nuran Kuçuk
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  24. Ali Delibas
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  25. Gul Ozcelik
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  26. Nilufer Goknar
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  28. Pelin Ertan
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  29. Ipek Akil Ozunan
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  30. Ferah Sonmez
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Correspondence to Ayse Balat.

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Balat, A., Kilic, B.D., Aksu, B. et al. Kidney disease profile and encountered problems during follow-up in Syrian refugee children: a multicenter retrospective study. Pediatr Nephrol 37, 393–402 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-021-05046-3

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