The current pandemic SARS‐CoV‐2 has required an unusual allocation of resources that can negatively impact chronically ill patients and high‐complexity procedures. Across the European Reference Network on Pediatric Transplantation (ERN TransplantChild), we conducted a survey to investigate the impact of the COVID‐19 outbreak on pediatric transplant activity and healthcare practices in both solid organ transplantation (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The replies of 30 professionals from 18 centers in Europe were collected. Twelve of 18 centers (67%) showed a reduction in their usual transplant activity. Additionally, outpatient visits have been modified and restricted to selected ones, and the use of telemedicine tools has increased. Additionally, a total of 14 COVID‐19 pediatric transplanted patients were identified at the time of the survey, including eight transplant recipients and six candidates for transplantation. Only two moderate‐severe cases were reported, both in HSCT setting. These survey results demonstrate the limitations in healthcare resources for pediatric transplantation patients during early stages of this pandemic. COVID‐19 disease is a major worldwide challenge for the field of pediatric transplantation, where there will be a need for systematic data collection, encouraging regular discussions to address the long‐term consequences for pediatric transplantation candidates, recipients, and their families.

Recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) after renal transplantation can limit graft survival. Despite new immunosuppressive agents, the incidence of recurrence remains relatively high. To identify risk factors for recurrence and efficacy of treatment, we reviewed the outcome of 23 grafts in 16 children with FSGS who had undergone transplantation between 1985 and 2007 at La Paz Children's Hospital. Recurrence was 56.3% after the first transplantation. We did not find significant differences in age at diagnosis, age at transplantation, age at end-stage renal disease (ESRD), progression to ESRD, bilateral nephrectomy of native kidneys prior to transplantation, use of induction therapy or of different immunosuppressive regimens between patients with and without recurrence. Plasmapheresis (PP) was carried out in seven of nine patients who had suffered recurrence, achieving remission in six of them. One patient received high doses of cyclosporin (CsA) and plasmapheresis, attaining remission. Graft survival was lower (P = 0.043) in patients with FSGS than in those with other ESRD etiologies (first year 75% vs 91%; fifth year 44% vs 78%). Recurrence of FSGS limited graft survival (first year 66% vs 85%; third year 20% vs 68%) (P = 0.07). In our experience, PP can be effective in treating FSGS recurrence, although its effect on long-term graft survival seems more limited.

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Urolithiasis (UL) can present with its classic signs and symptoms, such as flank or abdominal pain and gross hematuria. However, atypical complaints can be more common in younger children. We report here a case of bilateral ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) stones in a 10-month-old boy who only showed nonspecific symptoms at the time of presentation. The initial blood test revealed renal failure (serum creatinine 3.4 mg/dl), hyperkalemia (6.4 mEq/l), hyperphosphoremia (9.4 mEq/l) and mild metabolic acidosis. Medical treatment for electrolyte disorders was started. The ultrasonography revealed impacted stones in both ureteropelvic junctions. A pigtail catheter was placed in each ureter. High urine flow was promptly achieved after the pigtail procedure, and the serum creatinine level dropped quickly from 4.5 to 0.32 mg/dl. Quantitative determination of urinary amino acids by ion exchange chromatography showed high cystine levels of 8.43 mmol/g creatinine. Outpatient follow-up was scheduled every 3 months to monitor patient compliance with potassium citrate. In the first 6 months, the patient underwent three febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs). Since both pigtail catheters were removed, he has been free of UTIs and stones. Our case emphasizes the need for considering UL in infants who complain with unclear signs, because UL can only show nonspecific symptoms in children younger than 1 year old. Since cystinuria can cause loss of renal function due to urinary system obstruction and UTI, an early diagnosis and a close follow-up are the key to achieving the best long-term outcome.