Renal disease in Lebanese children and adolescents. Findings in 118 consecutive percutaneous renal biopsies.

One hundred and eighteen consecutive percutaneous renal biopsies performed on 104 Lebanese children and adolescents at the American University of Beirut Medical Center over a period of six years were reviewed retrospectively. These patients represent the great majority of renal biopsies performed on Lebanese children and adolescents during that period. The kidney was localized with the help of an IVP or ultrasound and the procedure was performed without direct guidance. Adequate renal tissue was obtained in 112 biopsies with a success rate of 95.0%. The procedure appears to be safe in children. The renal diseases identified and their incidence is comparable to those reported in the literature. Acute nephropathy was seen in 9.6% of the patients, primary nephrosis in 45.0% and secondary glomerular disease in 14.6%. Tubulointerstitial disease, metabolic and hereditary diseases and end-stage renal diseases were found in 7.7%, 6.7%, and 5.8% of patients respectively. Some previously unreported conditions were identified.