- Overview
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I am a pediatric nephrologist, clinician scientist, epidemiologist, and health services researcher with a primary appointment in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology at the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. My research program is focused on improving care and outcomes of children with chronic health conditions, in particular those with kidney disease. We are studying a rare disease called nephrotic syndrome which causes severe swelling of the body due to protein leak from blood into urine. Our goal is to improve our understanding of cause of the disease and to develop better treatments. We are also studying how to improve transition to adult care for those with chronic illnesses in childhood, and continue to study ways to provide better support and resources during this vulnerable time.
- Publications
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IPNA clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of children with IgA nephropathy and IgA vasculitis nephritis
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-024-06502-6
2024Validation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measure in Pediatric CKD (PRO-Kid)
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.0000000000000467
2024Role of primary care in enhancing continuity of care for adolescents and young adults with chronic kidney disease undergoing transition to adult health services
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-06140-4
2024Corticosteroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome in children
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001533.pub7
2024Patient, Parental, and Health Professional Perspectives on Growth in Children With CKD
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2024.06.016
2024IPNA clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-022-05739-3
2023The extrafollicular B cell response is a hallmark of childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
bioRxiv
DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.11.557079
2023Perspectives of Pediatric Nephrologists, Intensivists and Nurses Regarding AKI Management and Expected Outcomes
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1177/20543581231168088
2023The extrafollicular B cell response is a hallmark of childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Nature Communications
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43504-8
2023“Walking on both sides of the fence”: A qualitative exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing emergent clinician-scientists in child health
Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
DOI: 10.1111/jep.13719
2023Transition readiness of youth with co-occurring chronic health and mental health conditions: A mixed methods study
Health Expectations
DOI: 10.1111/hex.13821
2023Development of the Strengths, Skills, and Goals Matrix: a tool for facilitating strengths-based adolescent and young adult engagement in research
Research Involvement and Engagement
DOI: 10.1186/s40900-023-00502-w
2023Child and caregiver perspectives on access to psychosocial and educational support in pediatric chronic kidney disease: a focus group study
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-022-05551-z
2023“They go hand in hand”: a patient-oriented, qualitative descriptive study on the interconnectedness between chronic health and mental health conditions in transition-age youth
BMC Health Services Research
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-09002-1
2023Association of average daily corticosteroid dose with time to relapse in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: Results from a longitudinal cohort study
Research Square
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1854758/v1
2022Curricula, Teaching Methods, and Success Metrics of Clinician-Scientist Training Programs: A Scoping Review
Academic Medicine
DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000004764
2022Association between transition readiness and mental health comorbidity in youth with chronic health conditions
Journal of Pediatric Nursing
DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.09.012
2022Involving Patient Partners in the KRESCENT Peer Review: Intent, Process, Challenges, and Opportunities
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1177/20543581221136402
2022Primary care service use during adolescence and young adulthood Tertiary care cohort affected by chronic health conditions
Canadian Family Physician
DOI: 10.46747/cfp.6805e151
2022Immunosuppressive therapy for IgA nephropathy in children
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015060
2022Equity, diversity and inclusion of pediatric clinician-scientists in Canada: a thematic analysis
CMAJ open
DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20220134
2022Community based Primary Care for Adolescents and Young Adults Transitioning From Pediatric Specialty Care: Results from a Scoping Review
Journal of Primary Care and Community Health
DOI: 10.1177/21501319221084890
2022Perspectives of Clinicians on Shared Decision Making in Pediatric CKD: A Qualitative Study
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.12.009
2022The Diagnostic Journey of Childhood Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome: Perspectives of Children and Their Caregivers
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1177/20543581221139025
2022Rituximab Use for the Treatment of Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome by Canadian Pediatric Nephrologists: A National Survey
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1177/20543581221079959
2022Association of pediatric cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury with post-discharge healthcare utilization, mortality and kidney outcomes
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-021-04999-9
2021IPNA Clinical Practice Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Children with Steroid-resistant Nephrotic Syndrome,¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ IPNA ¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ ¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿ ¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿-¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿
Nephrology and Dialysis
DOI: 10.28996/2618-9801-2020-4-435-473
2021Training Programs for Fundamental and Clinician-Scientists: Balanced Outcomes for Graduates by Gender
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1177/20543581211033405
2021Characteristics Associated with Variation in Corticosteroid Exposure in Children with Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome: Results from a Canadian Longitudinal Study
Kidney360
DOI: 10.34067/KID.0002692021
2021Importance of clinical practice guidelines to practicing pediatric nephrologists and IPNA survey
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-021-05105-9
2021Strategies for improving primary care for adolescents and young adults transitioning from pediatric services: perspectives of Canadian primary health care professionals
Family Practice
DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa113
2021A web-based self-management support prototype for adults with chronic kidney disease (my kidneys my health): Co-design and usability testing
JMIR Formative Research
DOI: 10.2196/22220
2021Primary care during the transition to adult care for adolescents involved with pediatric specialty services: a scoping review protocol
Systematic Reviews
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-021-01593-w
2021Patient and caregiver perspectives on blood pressure in children with chronic kidney disease
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfab194
2021Acute kidney injury in critically ill children and 5-year hypertension
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-020-04488-5
2020Perspectives from primary health care providers on their roles for supporting adolescents and young adults transitioning from pediatric services
BMC Family Practice
DOI: 10.1186/s12875-020-01189-8
2020Establishing core outcome domains in pediatric kidney disease: report of the Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology—Children and Adolescents (SONG-KIDS) consensus workshops
Kidney International
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.05.054
2020Developing Consensus-Based Outcome Domains for Trials in Children and Adolescents With CKD: An International Delphi Survey
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.03.014
2020IPNA clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-020-04519-1
2020Pragmatic trial evaluating the effectiveness of a patient navigator to decrease emergency room utilisation in transition age youth with chronic conditions: the Transition Navigator Trial protocol
BMJ Open
Susan Samuel and Gina Dimitropoulos and Kyleigh Schraeder and Scott Klarenbach and Alberto Nettel-Aguirre and Greg Guilcher and Daniele Pacaud and Jorge Pinzon and Eddy Lang and Gail Andrew and Lonnie Zwaigenbaum and Shannon Scott and Kerry McBrien and Lorraine Hamiwka and Andrew Mackie
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034309
12/2019The Canadian childhood nephrotic syndrome (CHILDNEPH) study: report on mid-study feasibility, recruitment and main measures
BMC Nephrology
Susan M. Samuel and Allison Dart and Guido Filler and Martin Bitzan and Maury Pinsk and Cherry Mammen and Alberto Nettel-Aguirre and Maneka A. Perinpanayagam and Tomoko Takano and Rahul Chanchlani and Michael Zappitelli
DOI: 10.1186/s12882-019-1320-3
12/2019Preferences for a self-management e-health tool for patients with chronic kidney disease: results of a patient-oriented consensus workshop
CMAJ open
DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20190081
2019Acute kidney injury among paediatric emergency room admissions in a tertiary hospital in South West Nigeria: A cohort study
Clinical Kidney Journal
DOI: 10.1093/ckj/sfy120
2019A Validation Study of Administrative Health Care Data to Detect Acute Kidney Injury in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1177/2054358119827525
2019Identifying Important Outcomes for Young People With CKD and Their Caregivers: A Nominal Group Technique Study
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2018.12.040
2019Content and Quality of Websites for Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: An Environmental Scan
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1177/2054358119863091
2019Delays in diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome in children: A survey study
Paediatrics and Child Health (Canada)
DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxy165
2019Identifying Needs for Self-management Interventions for Adults With CKD and Their Caregivers: A Qualitative Study
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2019.02.006
2019Health care stakeholder perspectives regarding the role of a patient navigator during transition to adult care
BMC Health Services Research
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4227-6
2019Identifying a retrospective cohort of adolescents with chronic health conditions from a paediatric hospital prior to transfer to adult care: The Calgary Transition Cohort
BMJ Open
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027045
2019Management of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli-infected children: A multi-national, multi-specialty survey
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.13778
2018Long-term mortality after acute kidney injury in the pediatric ICU
Hospital Pediatrics
DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2017-0215
2018Examining the Transition from Child to Adult Care in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Open Exploratory Approach
Nephrology nursing journal : journal of the American Nephrology Nurses' Association
2018Failed Removal of Indwelling Urinary Catheters in Patients With Acute Stroke: Incidence and Risk Factors
PM and R
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2017.06.022
2018Kidney disease in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive children: experience from a centre in south-west Nigeria and a review of the Nigerian literature
Paediatrics and International Child Health
DOI: 10.1080/20469047.2016.1251532
2018Implementing core outcomes in kidney disease: report of the Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology (SONG) implementation workshop
Kidney International
DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2018.08.018
2018Healthcare utilization after acute kidney injury in the pediatric intensive care unit
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.09350817
2018Child and Parental Perspectives on Communication and Decision Making in Pediatric CKD: A Focus Group Study
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2018.05.005
2018Self-management interventions for adults with chronic kidney disease: A scoping review
BMJ Open
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019814
2018Blood pressure in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Paediatrics and Child Health (Canada)
DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxx207
2018Iatrogenic dysnatremias in children with acute gastroenteritis in high-income countries: A systematic review
Frontiers in Pediatrics
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2017.00210
2017End-Stage Renal Disease Among Indigenous Populations in Canada
Chronic Kidney Disease in Disadvantaged Populations
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-804311-0.00007-8
2017Associations between hydration status, intravenous fluid administration, and outcomes of patients infected with shiga toxin-producing escherichia coli a systematic review and meta-analysis
JAMA Pediatrics
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.2952
2017Variation in estimated glomerular filtration rate at dialysis initiation in children
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-016-3483-5
2017Range and Heterogeneity of Outcomes in Randomized Trials of Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease
Journal of Pediatrics
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.03.034
2017Glomerular filtration rate trends during follow-up in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1177/2054358117709496
2017Factors influencing practice variation in the management of nephrotic syndrome: a qualitative study of pediatric nephrology care providers
CMAJ open
DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20160078
2017Setting new directions for research in childhood nephrotic syndrome: Results from a national workshop
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1177/2054358117703386
2017Perceptions of pediatric nephrologists regarding timing of dialysis initiation in children in Canada
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1186/s40697-016-0123-8
2016Standardised Outcomes in Nephrology-Children and Adolescents (SONG-Kids): A protocol for establishing a core outcome set for children with chronic kidney disease
Trials
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-016-1528-5
2016The association between individual counselling and health behaviour change: The See Kidney Disease (SeeKD) targeted screening programme for chronic kidney disease
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1186/s40697-016-0127-4
2016The see kidney disease targeted screening program for CKD
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.11961115
2016Establishing a Canadian national clinical trials network for kidney disease: Proceedings of a planning workshop
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1186/s40697-015-0080-7
2015Statewide Administration of the CRAFFT Screening Tool: Highlighting the Spectrum of Substance Use
Substance Use and Misuse
DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2015.1027930
2015Exploring physician specialist response rates to web-based surveys
BMC Medical Research Methodology
DOI: 10.1186/s12874-015-0016-z
2015Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease: A unique launch of a unique journal
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1186/2054-3581-1-1
2014Organ donation and transplantation in Canada: Insights from the Canadian Organ Replacement Register
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1186/s40697-014-0031-8
2014The Canadian Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome (CHILDNEPH) project: Overview of design and methods
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1186/2054-3581-1-17
2014Canadian society of nephrology commentary on the 2012 KDIGO clinical practice guideline for glomerulonephritis: Management of glomerulonephritis in adults
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2013.12.001
2014The Canadian Society of Nephrology methods in developing and adapting clinical practice guidelines: A review
Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
DOI: 10.1186/2054-3581-1-5
2014Kidney stones and cardiovascular events: A cohort study
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.04960513
2014Association between First Nations ethnicity and progression to kidney failure by presence and severity of albuminuria
CMAJ. Canadian Medical Association Journal
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.130776
2014A longitudinal retrospective analysis of left ventricular mass in a cohort of pediatric kidney transplant recipients
Pediatric Transplantation
DOI: 10.1111/petr.12365
2014Avoidable hospitalizations in youth with kidney failure after transfer to or with only adult care
Pediatrics
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2013-2345
2014Canadian society of nephrology commentary on the 2012 KDIGO clinical practice guideline for glomerulonephritis: Management of nephrotic syndrome in children
American Journal of Kidney Diseases
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2013.12.002
2014Substantial practice variation exists in the management of childhood nephrotic syndrome
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-013-2546-0
2013Tumefactive perivascular spaces mimicking cerebral edema in a patient with diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome: A case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
DOI: 10.1186/1752-1947-7-51
2013Contrast-induced acute kidney injury and risk of adverse clinical outcomes after coronary angiography: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.112.974493
2013Incidence and causes of end-stage renal disease among Aboriginal children and young adults
CMAJ. Canadian Medical Association Journal
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.120427
2012Survival and transplantation outcomes of children less than 2 years of age with end-stage renal disease
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-012-2195-8
2012Kidney stones and kidney function loss: A cohort study
BMJ (Online)
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.e5287
2012Validating a case definition for chronic kidney disease using administrative data.
Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfr598
2012Association between residence location and likelihood of transplantation among pediatric dialysis patients
Pediatric Transplantation
DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2012.01694.x
2012Diarrhea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome in southern Alberta: A long-term single-centre experience
Paediatrics and Child Health
DOI: 10.1093/pch/16.6.337
2011Association between age and graft failure rates in young kidney transplant recipients
Transplantation
DOI: 10.1097/TP.0b013e31823411d7
2011Dialysis and transplantation among Aboriginal children with kidney failure
CMAJ. Canadian Medical Association Journal
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.101840
2011Survival in pediatric dialysis and transplant patients
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.04920610
2011Graft failure and adaptation period to adult healthcare centers in pediatric renal transplant patients
Transplantation
DOI: 10.1097/TP.0b013e31821b2f4b
2011Overview of the Canadian pediatric end-stage renal disease database
BMC Nephrology
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2369-11-21
2010Renal allograft loss during transition to adult healthcare services among pediatric renal transplant patients
Transplantation
DOI: 10.1097/TP.0b013e3181a63ed9
2009Screening for kidney disease in children on World Kidney Day in Jalisco, Mexico
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-009-1136-7
2009Incidence and risk factors for cardiovascular events and death in pediatric renal transplant patients: A single center long-term outcome study
Pediatric Transplantation
DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2008.01111.x
2009Anemia in children with chronic kidney disease
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-006-0381-2
2008Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: Mean blood pressure and blood pressure load
Pediatric Nephrology
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-005-2014-6
2005 - Research
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Developing precision approaches to help predict clinical course of nephrotic syndrome and to develop better treatments
Nephrotic syndrome is a rare disease that causes severe swelling of the body due to protein leak from blood into urine. It is a relapsing remitting disease and the most common acquired kidney disease in children. Generating high quality evidence for the management of nephrotic syndrome is difficult due to small numbers of patients in each health centre. We are working with pediatric nephrologists to develop strategies to improve the evidence base in nephrotic syndrome and translation of evidence into practice. We are also working with scientific colleagues to study the immune signature of active nephrotic syndrome. We are building a repository of critical relapse-remission paired bio-samples to help facilitate these studies.Improving transition to adult care by studying health services based interventions
A major area of focus for our research program is evaluating innovations in transition to adult health care. Although there is much written about the perils of poor transitions, the evidence base guiding implementation of interventions is scant. Building on our work that showed high risk of poor outcomes among transitioned patients, we implemented a randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a patient navigator (a clinician coordinating care after transfer to adult care) to decrease emergency room use, and to improve health outcomes and experience of youth with a chronic health condition (Transition Navigator Trial in Alberta). The study has immediate relevance to policy and practice within Alberta and beyond. Students from our group are working on various aspects of this problem, including understanding youth, caregiver and provider perspectives, in order to increase our understanding of how interventions can be helpful to improve the overall transition experience.GrantsCo-Applicant. Pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: defining the role of B cells and autoantibodies reactive to podocyte proteins. Funding Source: CIHR Project Grant
Principal Investigator. Empowering Next-generation Researchers In perinatal and Child Health (ENRICH). Funding Source: CIHR Training grant - Health Research Training Platform (HRTP) Pilot
Co-Principal Investigator. Defining the Immune Dysfunction in Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome: Toward Therapeutic Reversal without Glucocorticoids. CIHR Project Grant
Principal Investigator. Evaluating impact of Primary Care Patient-Provider Relationships on Emergency Department Utilization by Adolescents and Young Adults with Chronic Conditions. Funding Source: CIHR Operating Grant Transitions in Care – Evaluation Grants
Principal Investigator. Evaluating innovations in transition to adult care: The Transition Navigator Trial. Funding Source: CIHR Project Scheme Grant
Honours & Awards2022 - SILVER LEGO Award for Faculty Teaching Evaluations Performance Report (for period 2017 - 2022)
2021 - Canada Research Chair Tier 1, Precision Medicine and Data Science in Child Health
2018 - CARE Award: Researcher of the Year, Alberta Children's Hospital
2017 - Endowed Research Award in Healthy Living, BMO
2013 - Top 40 Under 40 Award, Avenue Magazine
2011-2015 - Career Development Award, CIHR Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program
2011-2014 - KRESCENT New Investigator Award, Kidney Foundation of Canada/CIHR/Canadian Society of Nephrology
Research Group MembersAlice So, Division Administrative Secretary
Michelle Sutjitro, Senior Administrative Coordinator
Marie-Noelle Wharton Cancio, Clinical Research Coordinator
BC Children’s Hospital researchers bring Mini Med School to the Yukon for the first time
World-class researchers from BCCHR will travel to the Yukon on March 28 to present a day of discovery with Mini Med School. This health science youth outreach and public education program is designed for high school students to explore the world of health sciences, career opportunities in science and medicine, and connections with leading researchers and health experts.
