Background Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in conflict zones, especially those with chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate kidney disease profiles and problems during follow-up in a population of Syrian refugee children residing in Turkey. Methods Syrian refugee children aged between 0 and 18 years were included in the study. Demographic data, diagnosis, particular interventions due to nephrological problems, and problems encountered during follow-up were obtained from all participating pediatric nephrology centers. Results Data from 633 children from 22 pediatric nephrology centers were included. Mean age of the children was 94.8 +/- 61.7 months and 375 were male (59%). 57.7% had parental consanguinity and 23.3% had a close relative(s) with kidney disease. The most common kidney diseases were congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) (31.0%), glomerular disease (19.9%), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (14.8%), and urolithiasis (10.7%). Frequent reasons for CAKUT were nonobstructive hydronephrosis (23.0%), vesico-ureteral reflux (18.4%), and neurogenic bladder (15.8%). The most common etiology of glomerular diseases was nephrotic syndrome (69%). Ninety-four children had CKD, and 58 children were on chronic dialysis. Six children had kidney transplantation. Surgical intervention was performed on 111 patients. The language barrier, lack of medical records, and frequent disruptions in periodic follow-ups were the main problems noted. Conclusions CAKUT, glomerular disease, and CKD were highly prevalent in Syrian refugee children. Knowing the frequency of chronic diseases and the problems encountered in refugees would facilitate better treatment options and preventive measures.
C1 [Balat, Ayse; Kilic, Beltinge Demircioglu; Kara, Mehtap Akbalik; Buyukcelik, Mithat] Gaziantep Univ, Sch Med, Div Pediat Nephrol, TR-27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
[Aksu, Bagdagul] Istanbul Univ, Inst Child Hlth, Dept Pediat Basic Sci, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Aksu, Bagdagul] Istanbul Univ, Div Pediat Nephrol, Istanbul Fac Med, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Aksu, Bagdagul; Agbas, Ayse] Haseki Training & Res Hosp, Dept Pediat, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Eroglu, Fehime Kara; Gungor, Tulin] Dr Sami Ulus Children Training & Res Hosp, Div Pediat Nephrol, Ankara, Turkey.
[Alaygut, Demet] Univ Hlth Sci, Tepecik Training & Res Hosp, Div Pediat Nephrol, Izmir, Turkey.
[Yildiz, Nurdan] Marmara Univ, Sch Med, Div Pediat Nephrol, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Bastug, Funda] Kayseri Training & Res Hosp, Dept Pediat, Kayseri, Turkey.
[Atmis, Bahriye; Melek, Engin] Cukurova Univ, Sch Med, Div Pediat Nephrol, Adana, Turkey.
[Elmaci, Midhat] Konya Dr Ali Kemal Belviranli Matern & Childrens, Dept Pediat, Konya, Turkey.
[Tulpar, Sebahat] Bakirkoy Dr Sadi Konuk Training & Res Hosp, Dept Pediat, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Pehlivanoglu, Cemile] Umraniye Training & Res Hosp, Dept Pediat, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Doven, Serra Surmeli] Mersin City Hosp, Dept Pediat, Mersin, Turkey.
[Comak, Elif] Akdeniz Univ, Sch Med, Div Pediat Nephrol, Antalya, Turkey.
[Tabel, Yilmaz] Inonu Univ, Sch Med, Div Pediat Nephrol, Malatya, Turkey.
[Gemici, Atilla] Aydin Matern & Childrens Hosp, Dept Pediat, Aydin, Turkey.
[Uysal, Berfin] Bursa Dortcelik Training & Res Hosp, Dept Pediat, Bursa, Turkey.
[Ozzorlar, Gamze Seval] Gaziantep Univ, Sch Med, Dept Pediat, Gaziantep, Turkey.
[Kucuk, Nuran] Kartal Dr Lutfi Kirdar Training & Res Hosp, Dept Pediat, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Delibas, Ali] Mersin Univ, Sch Med, Div Pediat Nephrol, Mersin, Turkey.
[Ozcelik, Gul] Sariyer Hamidiye Etfal Training & Res Hosp, Dept Pediat, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Goknar, Nilufer] Istanbul Medeniyet Univ, Goztepe Educ & Res Hosp Istanbul, Div Pediat Nephrol, Fac Med, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Dursun, Ismail] Erciyes Univ, Div Pediat Nephrol, Fac Med, Kayseri, Turkey.
[Ertan, Pelin; Ozunan, Ipek Akil] Celal Bayar Univ Hafsa Sultan Hosp, Fac Med, Div Pediat Nephrol, Manisa, Turkey.
[Sonmez, Ferah] Adnan Menderes Univ, Div Pediat Nephrol, Aydin, Turkey.