Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
08:50

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Published on: June 16, 2014

Cardiovascular complications in children with chronic kidney disease

Rukshana Shroff1, Donald J Weaver, Mark M Mitsnefes

  • 1Nephrology Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK.

Nature Reviews. Nephrology
|September 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) face reduced lifespan due to cardiovascular disease. Early adaptations in CKD can lead to heart failure and death, highlighting the need for risk management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Chronic Kidney Disease Research

Background:

  • Children with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a significantly lower lifespan than the general pediatric population.
  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in pediatric CKD patients, mirroring trends in adult CKD.
  • Both traditional and uremia-related risk factors contribute to the high prevalence of CVD in this vulnerable group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in pediatric CKD patients.
  • To describe the cardiac and vascular adaptations occurring in children with CKD.
  • To discuss current strategies for managing cardiovascular risk in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on pediatric CKD and cardiovascular disease.
  • Analysis of cardiovascular adaptations in predialysis and dialysis pediatric CKD patients.
  • Synthesis of information on risk factors and management strategies.

Main Results:

  • Cardiovascular adaptations begin early in predialysis CKD, initially supporting hemodynamic stability.
  • These adaptations, while compensatory, ultimately lead to left ventricular failure and impaired cardiorespiratory fitness.
  • A high prevalence of traditional and uremia-related CVD risk factors is observed.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular complications are a major determinant of poor outcomes in pediatric CKD.
  • Understanding early cardiac and vascular changes is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Effective management of cardiovascular risk factors is essential to improve survival in children with CKD.

More Related Videos

A Mouse 5/6th Nephrectomy Model That Induces Experimental Uremic Cardiomyopathy07:52

A Mouse 5/6th Nephrectomy Model That Induces Experimental Uremic Cardiomyopathy

Published on: November 7, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations01:24

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management01:18

Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management is essential for preventing complications, maintaining stability, and improving patients' quality of life in chronic kidney disease (CKD). By using a structured approach, nurses help slow CKD progression and support effective patient care​.1. Comprehensive patient assessmentEffective management begins with nurses reviewing the patient’s medical history, and identifying key risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and nephrotoxic drug use. Nurses assess signs of fluid...
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction01:25

Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) arises when the kidneys progressively lose their ability to function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal disease. At this advanced stage, the kidneys can no longer filter waste or maintain essential body functions, requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) through dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.Early-stage chronic kidney disease and detection challengesIn CKD's early stages, symptoms often remain absent because healthy nephrons compensate for...
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care01:28

Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaborative and comprehensive management. CKD progresses through stages and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) if untreated. Interprofessional collaboration and patient education are crucial, enabling patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life.Diagnostic approach for chronic kidney diseaseThe diagnosis of CKD primarily focuses on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which assesses kidney function by measuring how well...
Diabetic Nephropathy01:28

Diabetic Nephropathy

Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications01:24

Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications

DialyzersA hemodialysis (HD) dialyzer is a plastic cartridge containing thousands of parallel hollow fibers, which serve as semipermeable membranes. These fibers are typically made from cellulose-based or other synthetic materials. During HD, blood is pumped into the top of the cartridge and distributed among these fibers. Simultaneously, dialysis fluid, known as dialysate, is introduced into the bottom of the cartridge, bathing the outside of the fibers. Across the semipermeable membrane,...