The efficacy and safety of kidney biopsy in children performed with an automatic Biopty Gun device under real time ultrasound was analysed. The procedure was performed under sedation during short hospitalisation with ultrasound assessment of complications performed after 24 hours. 98% of 131 biopsies yielded representative material with an average 16 glomeruli obtained per biopsy. Symptomatic perirenal haematomas were observed in 80%, subcapsular haematomas in 3.8% and arteriovenous fistulas in 4.6% of children on post biopsy ultrasound. They resolved spontaneously in all patients.
Conclusions: Real time ultrasound guidance with the use of automatic biopsy devices should become the standard practice for kidney biopsy in children due to its efficacy and safety. The procedure should be performed during short hospitalization to enable ultrasound monitoring of early complications.