3 days Ago By Prashant Rupera
1 2 3 Vadodara: A 10-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh received a new lease of life after undergoing treatment at a city-based hospital. The parents of the boy were shocked when their child was diagnosed with a rare disorder affecting the kidneys after a short spell of illness. The boy complained of vomiting, tummy ache, and dark-coloured urine.
His blood reports showed low haemoglobin, low platelet counts, and altered kidney function tests. "He was referred for further evaluation. After investigations, the child was diagnosed as having atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)," said Dr Jalpa Dave, paediatric nephrologist.
"His parents were initially in denial about the diagnosis as he looked like any other normal kid without many complaints. But his blood reports showed a serum creatinine value of 6.7 mg/dl and anaemia.
His anti-factor H antibodies titre was as high as 13,100 AU/ml (the normal range is 0-150 AU/ml)," said Dave. "With detailed counselling about the disease, we started his haemodialysis and plasmapheresis on the third day of his illness," she said. The boy required 15 sessions of plasmapheresis and 9 sessions of haemodialysis.
However, his 45-day hospital stay turned stormy as the boy developed infections requiring prolonged antibiotics along with a balanced dose of immunosuppression to control the disease. "The boy indeed was brave during the long hospital stay. Like his uncle, he too wants to join the army," she said.
After more than a month, the boy was discharged. "Currently, he is off dialysis and is on oral medications," said Dave, adding that a team of doctors including Dr Nanak Jaysinghani, Dr Siddharth Verma, Dr Dhairya Gandhi, and Dr Bushra Shaikh ensured timely treatment of the patient. What is atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome or aHUS is a rare disorder in which one's own immune system starts destroying blood cells, leading to low haemoglobin and kidney failure.
It affects kids between 7-15 years of age, and presenting complaints are usually subtle, leading to late diagnosis. If not treated early, it can lead to permanent damage to the kidneys, requiring long-term dialysis. At times, it is life-threatening.
Five patients treated in two years Though atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome or aHUS is a rare disease, doctors said that such cases have surfaced in Vadodara and nearby districts in the last couple of years. The occurrence of aHUS is 2 to 7 per million children per year. In the last two years, however, doctors at Kashiben Children's Hospital have treated more than five patients suffering from the syndrome.
The cases were referred to the hospital from Vadodara and nearby districts. "All are on regular follow-up with good kidney function," said Dr Jalpa Dave. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Navratri Wishes , Eid Messages and quotes !.
