We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most common form of glomerulonephritis, with discovery and follow-up in 20,612 individuals of European and East Asian ancestry. We identified six novel genome-wide significant associations, four in ITGAM-ITGAX, VAV3 and CARD9 and two new independent signals at HLA-DQB1 and DEFA. We replicated the nine previously reported signals, including known SNPs in the HLA-DQB1 and DEFA loci. The cumulative burden of risk alleles is strongly associated with age at disease onset. Most loci are either directly associated with risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or maintenance of the intestinal epithelial barrier and response to mucosal pathogens. The geo-spatial distribution of risk alleles is highly suggestive of multi-locus adaptation and the genetic risk correlates strongly with variation in local pathogens, particularly helminth diversity, suggesting a possible role for host-intestinal pathogen interactions in shaping the genetic landscape of IgAN.

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1. High number of INS relapses in childhood is a risk factor for recurrences in adulthood. 2. INS relapses in childhood do not preclude active professional life in adulthood.

We conclude that the incidence of hypertension in dialysis children in Poland is high (55%). The effectiveness of antihypertensive treatment is rather low (58%) and the choice of drugs is limited.

The results of the study indicate that the LR to a pediatric nephrologist was associated with poorer clinical and metabolic status of children entering chronic dialysis programmes.