Prevalence of kidney related abnormalities among students

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by progressive and irreversible deterioration of renal function, leading to permanent damage to the kidneys and eventual advancement to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aims to conduct a screening program targeting kidney ailments among student populations residing in the Laleh region of Tabriz during the year 2019. Methods: The current investigation employed a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional methodology. It concentrated on school-age children domiciled in Tabriz throughout the calendar year of 2019. As part of the screening protocol, a cohort of 523 students spanning from the initial year of primary school to the inaugural year of high school (aged 7 to 16 years) who availed themselves at the Razi Health Center in 2019 were selected for analysis utilizing convenience sampling techniques. The principal aim was to ascertain individuals with potential susceptibility to renal failure. Blood pressure assessment and urinalysis were the screening modalities utilized in this inquiry. Findings: In this investigation, the study cohort exhibited a mean age of 11.63 years, with a standard deviation of 2.9 years. Female participants constituted the majority, comprising 287 individuals (54.9%). A history of kidney disease was documented in 10 cases (1.9%), while high blood pressure was reported in only 1 case (0.2%). Family history unveiled kidney disease in 58 cases (11.1%) and high blood pressure in 116 cases (22.2%). The prevalence of urobilinogen, ketonuria, and glucosuria was observed in 13 cases (2.5%), 4 cases (0.8%), and 5 cases (0.1%), respectively. Bilirubinuria and nitrituria were detected in 19 cases (3.6%) and 9 cases (1.7%), respectively. Proteinuria was prevalent in 80 cases (15.3%). The mean urine pH was 6.52 (±0.8), with 65 cases (12.4%) displaying a pH below 7 and 10 cases (1.9%) above 7. The median urine specific gravity was 1.03 (interquartile range: 1.02 - 1.03). Mild, moderate, and severe hematuria were identified in 51 cases (9.8%), 11 cases (2.1%), and 7 cases (1.3%), in the same order. Females exhibited significantly higher levels of pyuria (P<0.001) and hematuria (P=0.020) compared to males. Nonetheless, no statistically significant gender disparities were noted in other urinary parameters among the study subjects (P>0.05). Conclusion: Proteinuria appears to manifest in around 3.4% of children of school age. Furthermore, the incidence of urobilinogen, ketonuria, and glucosuria, alongside bilirubinuria and nitrituria, among this demographic cohort, appears to be below 4%.