Screening for proteinuria and hematuria in school children--is it possible to reduce the incidence of chronic renal failure in children and adolescents?

In this study we evaluated the incidence of chronic renal failure in children with asymptomatic proteinuria and/or hematuria detected by a mass screening program in school and kindergarten. A total of four thousand and three children, aged from 2 to 18 years old was referred to our institute between 1977 and 1990. Of them, 4 cases were AGN, 8 cases Alports' syndrome, 7 cases FGN, 7 cases F(s)GS, 3 cases HSPN, 148 cases IgA nephropathy, 12 cases MN, 24 cases MPGN (including 7 cases of focal type MPGN), 1 case lupus nephritis, and others. Of these children 2 of 8 cases of Alports' syndrome, one of 7 cases of FGS, 6 of 148 cases of IgA nephropathy and none of 24 cases of MPGN developed chronic renal failure. It is true that the incidence of chronic renal failure in children with various kinds of renal disease detected by a mass screening program is lower than that of symptomatic children. However, since we do not have yet any specific treatment in most cases and also since the follow-up period is not long enough, the definite conclusion that a mass screening program can alter the prognosis of children with renal diseases cannot be drawn except for some particular lesions such as MPGN, especially the focal type. Further study including a much larger population of patients is necessary.