Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis in a Pediatric Patient

TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of a teenager with a condition causing eye inflammation and kidney damage, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis.

Contribution

The novelty lies in presenting a pediatric case of TINU syndrome with a focus on diagnostic challenges and clinical features.

Findings

The patient had uveitis and impaired renal function confirmed by biopsy.

TINU syndrome was diagnosed after ruling out other systemic diseases.

Early suspicion is crucial for diagnosing this rare condition in children.

Abstract

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU) is a rare autoimmune disease. It is characterized by uveitis and kidney damage. The presentation of uveitis is typically anterior and bilateral, while the renal lesion is an acute interstitial nephritis. We report a case of an adolescent diagnosed with this disease, who presented with ocular and constitutional symptoms. An ophthalmologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of uveitis, and subsequent systemic evaluation revealed impaired renal function. The findings of the renal biopsy established the diagnosis after ruling out other systemic diseases. Given the rarity and nonspecific clinical presentation of this condition, a high level of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians should consider this diagnosis in a pediatric patient with uveitis and impaired renal function.

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