Mesoamerican Endemic Nephropathy (MeN): A Disease Reported in Adults That May Start Since Childhood?

Abstract

Mesoamerican endemic nephropathy (MeN) is a type of chronic kidney disease (CKD) of uncertain etiology that occurs along the Pacific coast of the southern part of Mexico and Central America. During the past 20 years MeN has become a leading cause of death in the region, clamming close to 50,000 lives, with 40% of these deaths occurring in young people. The cause remains unknown, but most researchers believe in a multifactorial etiology that includes social determinants of poverty. Existing evidence suggests that subclinical kidney injury begins early in life and leads to a higher than expected prevalence of CKD among children in Central America. Access to health services in the region, specifically kidney replacement therapy, remains limited. We proposed a strategy to address the perceived needs and urge coordinated efforts of governments, academic organizations, and international bodies to develop a comprehensive plan of action to mitigate this situation among the vulnerable and economically disadvantaged population.

Keywords: Central America; Mesoamerican endemic nephropathy (MeN); adolescents; children; chronic interstitial nephritis in agricultural communities (CINAC); chronic kidney disease CKD; chronic kidney disease of nontraditional etiology (CKDnt); chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu); endemic nephropathy; south of Mexico.