This is the 11th of the Pediatric Nephrology series created to help us be in touch with developments which are relevant to the problems we face daily in clinical practice and the questions we ask and try to answer in clinical and experimental research. Like volume IX, this one focuses on one of the subgroups to which we are committed--the neonates' special fluid and electrolyte requirements. This volume has more on blood pressure and renal function and looks at the hormonal regulators. There is greater depth about intoxications and nephrotic agents, congenital disorders and mineral metabolism. The exchanges were stimulating and the controversies were brought out without need of much of my usual prodding. At Julie Ingelfinger's suggestion, at the end of each panel discussion I have added a comment to highlight the main points as I see them. Otherwise, the format remains as in past editions: the papers given related to the four major topic areas, each followed by panel and registrant discussion. Although the transcription is almost verbatim, you will not find the names of the discussants, purposely omitted to ease my editorial work and to encourage everyone to speak candidly. Some of the questions and answers are those submitted to the panelists after the sessions, incorporated here by request. Also, frequent references are made to others' work but their names have been omitted.

My thoughts about the Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) got started in 1961 along with my attempt to return to Argentina. As I sought my way in Buenos Aires, I visited Carlos Gianantonio whom I had met in Caracas the year before during the Pan American pediatric meetings. At that time he was actively working on HUS which had become an epidemic in Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina. I was impressed by the team effort and devotion of his group to such heavy demands. They obviously were meeting the challenge at an amazingly high level under a very crippling physical situation with shortages of space, laboratories and equipment. His group together with Dr. Becu, at the time the pathologist at the Children's Hospital of Buenos Aires (we had met through his mother who was instrumental in arranging my return to Buenos Aires), wrote some of the classic papers on HUS. Through the years as Dr. Gianantonio became more involved in general pediatrics, the administrative aspects and its orientation in Latin America, he became known for his deep philosophical questions as to what we are doing and where we are going. His questions have obvious implications regarding an agressive approach to our pediatric nephrology patients.

This Pediatric Nephrology series is a focus on salient points which at the time of each annual seminar are of importance to the practicing pediatrician and nephrologist, the clinical researcher, and basic researcher interested in clinical problems. Hence the format of selected papers and panel discussions to capture the tenor of the times. More thorough coverage of many of the subjects can be found in current journals and textbooks listed in the authors' references. Those searching for the conventional should look there rather than here since our aim is not to cover each subject in its entirety but to secure attention to the controversial aspects of the subjects, dispel the notion that there is one answer to a question, and raise the level of inclination toward dynamic problem solving. The basic subject chosen this year reflects dominant concerns this year and the participants chosen--speakers and discussants--represent certain views relevant to the subject at this time. To reflect the tempo and flavor produced by this unique blend, the discussions are included almost verbatim. For some this means readability; for others, excess verbiage. The careful reader will notice that I have been the chairman of all sessions and have moderated all discussions. This is in keeping with our aim to ferret out interrelated basic questions and varying answers to the subjects--seen as related in problems and solutions. In the discussions, all names have been deleted.

My thoughts about the Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) got started in 1961 along with my attempt to return to Argentina. As I sought my way in Buenos Aires, I visited Carlos Gianantonio whom I had met in Caracas the year before during the Pan American pediatric meetings. At that time he was actively working on HUS which had become an epidemic in Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina. I was impressed by the team effort and devotion of his group to such heavy demands. They obviously were meeting the challenge at an amazingly high level under a very crippling physical situation with shortages of space, laboratories and equipment. His group together with Dr. Becu, at the time the pathologist at the Children's Hospital of Buenos Aires (we had met through his mother who was instrumental in arranging my return to Buenos Aires), wrote some of the classic papers on HUS. Through the years as Dr. Gianantonio became more involved in general pediatrics, the administrative aspects and its orientation in Latin America, he became known for his deep philosophical questions as to what we are doing and where we are going. His questions have obvious implications regarding an agressive approach to our pediatric nephrology patients.

This Pediatric Nephrology series is a focus on salient points which at the time of each annual seminar are of importance to the practicing pediatrician and nephrologist, the clinical researcher, and basic researcher interested in clinical problems. Hence the format of selected papers and panel discussions to capture the tenor of the times. More thorough coverage of many of the subjects can be found in current journals and textbooks listed in the authors' references. Those searching for the conventional should look there rather than here since our aim is not to cover each subject in its entirety but to secure attention to the controversial aspects of the subjects, dispel the notion that there is one answer to a question, and raise the level of inclination toward dynamic problem solving. The basic subject chosen this year reflects dominant concerns this year and the participants chosen--speakers and discussants--represent certain views relevant to the subject at this time. To reflect the tempo and flavor produced by this unique blend, the discussions are included almost verbatim. For some this means readability; for others, excess verbiage. The careful reader will notice that I have been the chairman of all sessions and have moderated all discussions. This is in keeping with our aim to ferret out interrelated basic questions and varying answers to the subjects--seen as related in problems and solutions. In the discussions, all names have been deleted.

This is the 11th of the Pediatric Nephrology series created to help us be in touch with developments which are relevant to the problems we face daily in clinical practice and the questions we ask and try to answer in clinical and experimental research. Like volume IX, this one focuses on one of the subgroups to which we are committed--the neonates' special fluid and electrolyte requirements. This volume has more on blood pressure and renal function and looks at the hormonal regulators. There is greater depth about intoxications and nephrotic agents, congenital disorders and mineral metabolism. The exchanges were stimulating and the controversies were brought out without need of much of my usual prodding. At Julie Ingelfinger's suggestion, at the end of each panel discussion I have added a comment to highlight the main points as I see them. Otherwise, the format remains as in past editions: the papers given related to the four major topic areas, each followed by panel and registrant discussion. Although the transcription is almost verbatim, you will not find the names of the discussants, purposely omitted to ease my editorial work and to encourage everyone to speak candidly. Some of the questions and answers are those submitted to the panelists after the sessions, incorporated here by request. Also, frequent references are made to others' work but their names have been omitted.