Congenital Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients With Persistent Cloaca: Results From a Nationwide Survey in Japan

J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Jul 17:S0022-3468(24)00426-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.07.015. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Background: We conducted a nationwide survey of persistent cloaca (PC) to investigate the renal function outcomes and factors affecting chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with PC.

Method: Information from 466 patients with PC was obtained via a questionnaire in this study. The 290 patients (62.2%) with renal function data were classified into 2 groups based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate: advanced CKD group (<30 mL/min/1.73 m2 [or post-renal replacement therapy]) and non-advanced CKD group (≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for CKD that may affect the renal function, including renal and urinary tract malformations, associated anomalies, and urinary tract treatment. The advanced CKD group was divided into two groups based on age to evaluate age-related differences (younger- and older-age CKD groups).

Results: A regression analysis revealed that congenital renal malformations (odds ratio [OR]: 14.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]:3.07-131.65, p < 0.0001), urinary tract obstruction (OR:4.28, 95%CI:1.12-24.23, p < 0.05), and sacral agenesis (OR:4.54, 95% CI:0.84-30.67, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with advanced CKD. In the univariate analysis of factors affecting the renal prognosis, clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) (OR:4.18, 95%CI:1.21-16.45, p = 0.015), vesicostomy (OR:3.65, 95%CI:1.11-12.98, p = 0.019), and surgery for vesicoureteral reflux (OR:5.43, 95%CI:1.41-22.73, p = 0.006) were significantly associated with advanced CKD. Based on the univariate analysis, hydrometrocolpos was significantly more prevalent in the older-age CKD group compared to the younger-age CKD group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: CKD development in patients with PC is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including renal malformations and neurogenic bladder dysfunction due to spinal anomalies.

Level of evidence: III (Study of Diagnostic Test, Study of nonconsecutive patients, and/or without a universally applied "gold" standard).

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Nationwide survey; Persistent cloaca; Renal malformations; Urinary tract malformations.