Purpose To investigate the utility of whole-exome sequencing (WES) to define a molecular diagnosis in patients clinically diagnosed with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Methods WES was performed in 62 families with CAKUT. WES data were analyzed for Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs) in 35 known CAKUT genes, putatively deleterious sequence changes in new candidate genes, and potentially disease-associated copy-number variants (CNVs). Results In approximately 5% of families, pathogenic SNVs were identified in PAX2, HNF1B, and EYA1. Observed phenotypes in these families expand the current understanding about the role of these genes in CAKUT. Four pathogenic CNVs were also identified using two CNV detection tools. In addition, we found one deleterious de novo SNV in FOXP1 among the 62 families with CAKUT. Database of clinical BMGL laboratory was queried and seven additional unrelated individuals with novel de novo SNVs in FOXP1 were identified. Six of these 8 individuals with FOXP1 SNVs, have syndromic urinary tract defects, implicating this gene in urinary tract development. Conclusion We conclude that WES can be used to identify the molecular etiology (SNVs, CNVs) in a subset of individuals with CAKUT. WES can also help identify novel CAKUT genes.

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare, progressive, genetic disease with limited treatment options. We report the efficacy and safety of lumasiran, an RNA interference therapeutic, in infants and young children with PH1. Methods: This single-arm, open-label, phase 3 study evaluated lumasiran in patients aged <6 years with PH1 and an estimated glomerular filtration rate >45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , if aged ≥12 months, or normal serum creatinine, if aged <12 months. The primary end point was percent change in spot urinary oxalate to creatinine ratio (UOx:Cr) from baseline to month 6. Secondary end points included proportion of patients with urinary oxalate ≤1.5× upper limit of normal and change in plasma oxalate. Results: All patients (N = 18) completed the 6-month primary analysis period. Median age at consent was 50.1 months. Least-squares mean percent reduction in spot UOx:Cr was 72.0%. At month 6, 50% of patients (9/18) achieved spot UOx:Cr ≤1.5× upper limit of normal. Least-squares mean percent reduction in plasma oxalate was 31.7%. The most common treatment-related adverse events were transient, mild, injection-site reactions. Conclusion: Lumasiran showed rapid, sustained reduction in spot UOx:Cr and plasma oxalate and acceptable safety in patients aged <6 years with PH1, establishing RNA interference therapies as safe, effective treatment options for infants and young children.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in the initial evaluation of suspected childhood hypertension is highly cost-effective. Awareness of cost saving potential may increase the availability of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for evaluation of new-onset hypertension.

Increased mortality of adult chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients is associated with coronary calcifications (CC), increased serum phosphorus (P), use of calcium (Ca)-containing P-binders, and vitamin D deficiency. Serum concentration of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF 23) is markedly elevated in adults receiving dialysis and is independently associated with increased mortality. Although coronary calcifications have been described in pediatric and adult HD patients, no significant association between serum FGF 23 and CC has been reported. In our study, 5/16 patients had CC. Patients with CC were older, had longer dialysis vintage and higher serum P. Serum Ca, total PTH, elemental Ca intake, and calcitriol doses were not different for CC patients. Serum FGF 23 levels were markedly elevated in all patients (mean 4,024, range 874-8,253), but significantly higher in patients with CC (4,247 ± 10,35 vs 2,427 ± 11,92, p = 0.01) and positively correlated with Agatston calcification score (r = 0.69, p = 0.003) and serum P (r = 0.49, p = 0.05). Using multivariate analysis, serum FGF 23 and serum P remained the most significant factors associated with Agatston score. This study confirms the occurrence of CC in pediatric HD patients and is the first to show a significant association between CC and elevated serum FGF 23 in children.