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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Another day, another ex-prem patient with nephrocalcinosis undiagnosed with “bilateral medullary sponge kidney”!! It’s quite fascinating how this erroneous label seems to stick to patients for years after a passing mention in an ultrasound report without anyone ever looking into what it means!!

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Sitting in the Diabetic Kidney Disease session at #PAS2025. Cherry Mammen presenting on AKI in DKA. Approx 50% of DKA have AKI, and approx 28% have severe AKI. RRT is uncommon (4%) but neurocog outcomes are poorer at 3-6 months.

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

This week I ticked ‘Singing a social media reference during a symposium presentation at a national conference.’ Off my bucket list! #PSANZ

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

On behalf of the ANZ NKC Chapter, thank you thank you thank you #PSANZ2025 🙏🙏🙏. Huge attendance and great discussion at our symposium today!!! We were just blown away by the enthusiasm and engagement from you all to improve our care and research into neonatal kidney disease.

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Eveline Staub, Neonatologist and from Royal North Shore Hospital presents an interim analysis of the NEOKANZ multi-centre AKI study. #PSANZ2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Acute kidney injury is common in NICU admitted infants, and associated with mortality and increased length of stay. AWAKEN is the study that “woke up” the field to this problem, thanks to the Neonatal Kidney Collaborative. #PSANZ2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Next up, Prof Alison Kent speaking to acute kidney injury in the NICU, and why kidney outcomes should be included in research. #PSANZ2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

It’s time!!! The Inaugural Neonatal Nephrology Symposium kicking off to a full house at #PSANZ2025! First up Simon Carter from RCH Melbourne discusses antenatal counselling of antenatally detected kidney disease. #NKC #ANZNKC #preservethenephrons

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Very grateful for the opportunity to present our local data-led audit of #AKI at #PSANZ2025. Work made possible by the coding expertise and supervision of Emily See and the amazing resource that is the Centre for Health Analytics at the Melbourne Children’s Campus.

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Yes indeed!! Thanks Michelle!

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Very excited to have landed in Brisbane (a little late, sorry) for #PSANZ2025 to talk all things neonatal kidney with my colleagues from the ANZ Chapter of the Neonatal Kidney Collaborative - welcoming new members (free - link below - all welcome). #PSANZ www.babykidney.org/chapters/aus...

babykidney.org

NKC | Australian and New Zealand Chapter

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Reposted by Tom Forbes

NKF Nephrology Professionals @nkf-professionals.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

🎧 In our latest episode, our panel of nephrology and oncology experts tackle: ✔️ AKI in cancer patients ✔️ The impact of novel oncology therapies ✔️ Drug dosing considerations in kidney-compromised cancer patients Listen here: bit.ly/3DamjQ9 @silvishah.bsky.social @gudnephron.bsky.social

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Any rationale for evening dosing over morning dosing @edgarvlermamd.bsky.social? My GP tells me it reduces CV events by blunting the AM BP surge but I think it’s anecdotal.

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

This #WorldKidneyDay 's theme is "Are your kidneys OK? Detect early, protect kidney health.", In this editorial Dave Selewski and I ask the question, how can we best find and screen pediatric populations at risk of CKD? www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

sciencedirect.com

World Kidney Day: Case Finding for Kidney Disease in Children – From Neonates to Adolescents

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Is this a withdrawal symptom associated with the lack of #Animalhouse Bracket in this year’s #NephMadness Swap?

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

In this podcast, ahead of World Kidney Day 2025, I discuss why preterm birth and post-natal kidney injury can lead to increased mild kidney disease risk in adulthood. Early detection and treatment can reduce progression. www.podbean.com/ew/pb-zr9r3-...

podcasts.apple.com

The Education Hub - Conversation with the experts

Education Podcast · 123 Episodes · Updated Monthly

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Officially following on behalf of the ANZ NKC chapter! So exciting!!

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Michelle Rheault, MD @rheaultm.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

COL4A5 Intronic Variants at Third to Fifth Nucleotides Cause Alport Syndrome pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39990911/

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

It was a great update talk Louise. Unfortunately I came down with a bad flu on the Friday night and was devastated to miss pretty much everything thereafter. 🥲

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

All patients with Dent’s (and presumably Lowe’s) Disease should be screened and treated for low vitamin A. This can drop because of loss of retinol binding protein and when severe can have permanent effects on their vision. #IPNA2025

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Michelle Rheault, MD @rheaultm.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Dr Julien Hogan presents results of RCT in children with FR nephrotic syndrome treated with Rituximab +/- IVIG. Result: Addition of IVIG showed no benefit on relapse free survival. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Patients with cystinuria are at risk of CKD and HTN. Propensity to form stones and intensive treatment leads to impairment of quality of life. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Patients can monitor with urine dipsticks (pH and SG) at home. Use of penicillamine or tiopronin can be limited by side effects (and cost for tiopronin). #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Diagnosis by stone analysis, urine amino acids (COLA), crystalluria (large, stacked hexagonal crystals), or crystals) Treatment: hyper hydration, low salt and methionine (normal protein intake in children, no more than 1g/kg/day for adults). #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

May present antenatally with echogenic bowel, however Fuchs et al recently described only 67% have cystiruria syndromes. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Aurelia Bertholet Thomas speaking now on cystinuria. Type A SLC3A1 is more common (and sometimes associated with a contiguous gene deletion including PREL1), and SLC7A9 less common. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Treatment, increase water and decrease salt. Phosphate supplementation, avoid exogenous vitamin D. Note: cysts occur with a high prevalence in both genotypes, not well understood.

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

CYP34A1 and -A3 Heterozygous or homozygous. Hypophosphataemia (may be insidious leads to increase in calcitriol levels, leading to hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria to stones and neohrocalcinosis.

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Treatment involves conservative measures (high fluids, low calcium and salt). Also azoles can inhibit CYP27B1 and rifampin can induce CYP3A4 to clear calcitriol. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

CYP24A1 deficiency can produce a very stubborn (albeit variable) stone forming nephropathy. Look for a raised 25-OHD:24-25-OHD. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Emerging stone forming monogenic kidney diseases with David Sas from Mayo Clinic. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Adolescent bladder clinic run in Sydney with nursing and psychology available. Achieved improvement in 60% patients!! #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Intravesical Botox can improve symptoms in about 60% of patients with mean duration of effect around 7 months. Risk of retention is low and patient can report when repeat therapy is required. A potential option for non-adherence, like RTX is sometimes used in non-adherent FR SSNS. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

In patients where behavioural disturbance results from anticholungerics, mirabegron can help. Combination solifenacin/oxybutynin and mirabegron may be more effective than monotherapy.

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

TENS machines (bought outright) are cheaper than urotherapy machines, a potential option for patients where cost considerations are an issue.

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Gaya Raman presenting at the Bladder and Continence Grand Round. Rushing for the 7am start of this session I could certainly benefit from optimising my bladder capacity right now! #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Tammy Brady just gave the most outstanding interactive workshop on blood pressure measurement at #IPNA2025. Things you mightn’t know can increase the blood pressure, crossed legs, watching the phone, TALKING!!

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Another key question, how long is appropriate maintenance? What an amazing session!!!!

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Steroid minimisation. Are we slow to catch up to changes in adult practice? May improve adherence and side effects. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Relapse: early treatment and CR important. Young at dx and AZT also risk factors. Important to remember risk of infection vs protection from relapse is a nuanced dance. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Treatment for Class III/IV: whilst steroid and MMF is generally standard of care for children, suggestion of the need for early introduction of another steroid sparing agent (CNI or RTX) might be of benefit. Studies to come. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Histology: whilst class of SLE is important, a move to consider activity and chronicity indices as well as remembering that as a rare and very complex disease, cookie cutter classification and treatment is ill advised. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Key message: clinical features don’t accurately reflect renal histology. Low threshold for biopsy. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Complex aetiology including susceptibility risk factors (genetic) and environmental triggers. #IPNA2025

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Tom Forbes @kidneytom.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

ANA 97%, dsDNA 93% and C3/C4 in 78%. No test is perfect, ‘atypical’ disease is common. Rheumatology involvement is important. #IPNA2025

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