Screening and management of renal diseases in children living in Democratic Republic of Congo

In DRC renal injury is well known as a fatal complication of the most common diseases of childhood, both acute (malaria, diarrhoea, sepsis) and chronic (HIV infection, sickle cell anaemia). Either acute or chronic renal impairment are often regarded as a death sentence due to the conjunction of poverty, the lack of a paediatric dialysis program in the country and the deficiency of qualified health care providers in pediatric renal diseases. The lack of renal health care resources results in poor detection and prevention of childhood onset of renal disease. Therefore, the fourfold aim of the present study is:

1)     to ensure capacity for training of care providers in paediatric nephrology

2)     to optimize the treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI)

3)     to promote the screening program of chronic kidney diseases (CKD)

4)     to develop appropriate therapeutic measures to prevent its progression towards end stage renal disease (ESRD).