Background: There are significant differences in the incidence and aetiology of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) between the Asian and white adult population in the UK. The aim of this study was to determine if similar differences occurred in the paediatric ESRD population.
Methods: A retrospective study of children with ESRD presenting between 1980 and 1995 in the population served by the Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Results: Asian children comprised 7.4% of the total child population (0-15 years). ESRD developed in 165 children (138 white, 27 Asian). The prevalence of ESRD for whites was 15 per 10(5) white child population and for Asians, 40 per 10(5) Asian child population. A genetic aetiology was noted in 26 (19%) whites and 12 (44%) Asians (P < 0.001). Of the 147 renal transplants, 22 (15%) were to Asian recipients. The distribution of blood groups in the two populations reflected the pattern in the respective general populations as a whole. There was no significant difference in time to transplantation for the two groups (whites, mean 6 months, 95% confidence interval 6-11 months; Asians, mean 7 months, 95% CI 4-12 months). Asian patients had significantly more mismatches (> or = 3 or > or = 4) compared to white patients.
Conclusions: Asian children had a higher prevalence of ESRD, with genetic disease predominating. Differences in ethnicity or blood group did not influence time to transplantation in those that received a transplant although Asians had more mismatches.