Pediatric renal diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Pediatric nephrology is a growing subspecialty in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Pediatric nephrologists are challenged with a different spectrum of renal diseases. Moreover, there is a lack of epidemiological studies for most of these diseases. In this article, we discuss the spectrum of renal diseases in KSA and highlight the differences that exist between reports from KSA and those from other countries.

Data sources: PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for articles on pediatric renal diseases.

Results: Genetically mediated renal diseases are considerably high in KSA. Congenital and infantile nephrotic syndrome is higher in KSA than in other countries. Post-infectious glomerular pathology is rather common but is declining, while tropical infections such as schistosomiasis have been controlled. Neurogenic bladder caused by spinal lesion is an important cause of chronic kidney disease among pediatric patients. Renal stones are also more frequent in KSA than in other countries.

Conclusions: The spectrum of pediatric renal diseases in KSA is rather different from that reported from Western countries. More epidemiological studies are required to understand the actual incidence and nature of these diseases.