Sickle Cell Disease and the Kidney: Filters Gone Awry

Abstract

Throughout the lifespan, the kidney of a person with sickle cell disease is at increased risk of injury to the glomeruli, tubules, and renal vasculature. This injury manifests as urine concentrating defects, enuresis, albuminuria, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage kidney disease. The outcomes for patients who progress to end-stage kidney disease are poor and access to organ transplantation is limited. Therefore, identifying risk factors for progression, intervening with renoprotective agents early in life, and improving access to care are vital for sickle cell patients.

Keywords: Albuminuria; Hyposthenuria; Kidney; Sickle cell.