Guideline-directed hemoglobin targets in children with kidney disease may not optimize growth

Among 510 children and young adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) followed for over 15 years, declining hemoglobin levels were associated with significant growth impairment even when hemoglobin levels were above guideline directed targets.

Both anemia and short stature are common complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children. In children without CKD, anemia has been shown to impair physical development; however, the relationship between anemia and growth in children with CKD remains unclear. Using data from the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKD) cohort study, researchers demonstrated that children with the most common (non-glomerular) origin of CKD and lower hemoglobin values are more likely to grow poorly, independent of their kidney function, sex, and age.

These findings, recently published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases (AJKD), are important for the refinement of guidelines for the management of anemia and short stature in children with CKD.

Reference:

Oleh Akchurin, Andrea R. Molino, Michael F. Schneider, Meredith A. Atkinson, Bradley A. Warady, Susan L. Furth, M.D., Published:December 05, 2022 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.09.019