Serum Trace Elements in Children with End-Stage Renal Disease

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Trace Element Metabolism

Background:

• Trace elements are vital for metabolism and enzymatic functions.
• Routine monitoring of trace elements is lacking in pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• End-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children necessitates understanding trace element homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and lead (Pb) levels in pediatric ESRD patients.
• To compare trace element levels between conservative management, hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis groups.
• To investigate the impact of renal replacement therapy on trace element status in children.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 200 pediatric patients were analyzed.
• Patients were categorized into hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, conservative management, and control groups.
• Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to quantify Zn, Cu, Se, and Pb levels.

Main Results:

• Serum copper levels showed no significant differences across groups.
• Zinc and selenium levels were significantly lower in dialysis patients compared to controls and conservative management.
• Lead levels were significantly higher in dialysis patients than in controls and conservative management.

Conclusions:

• Dialysis significantly alters trace element levels (Zn, Se, Pb) in pediatric ESRD patients.
• Dialysate impurities and osmotic effects during dialysis can disrupt trace element homeostasis.
• Kidney function, even residual, plays a role in maintaining trace element balance.