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Published on: July 14, 2023
Cinacalcet for Severe Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Children with End-stage Kidney Disease
Areej Adel Sheerah1, Rafif Ali Al-Ahmed1, Sherif M El-Desoky2
1Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Nephrology Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Cinacalcet effectively treats severe secondary hyperparathyroidism in children with end-stage kidney disease. This treatment significantly lowered parathyroid hormone levels without serious side effects, offering a safe therapeutic option.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Mineral and Bone Disorders
Background:
- Advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) often presents with mineral and bone disorders (MBD).
- Controlling serum bone profile (parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus) is challenging in pediatric end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) significantly impacts bone health, growth, and cardiovascular outcomes in children with ESKD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cinacalcet for treating refractory SHPT in pediatric ESKD patients.
- To assess the impact of cinacalcet on serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study.
- Comparison of 14 children treated with cinacalcet versus 22 children receiving standard care.
- Data collected over a 6-month treatment period.
Main Results:
- Cinacalcet treatment led to a significant mean reduction in serum iPTH by 56% (from 202 to 88 pmol/L).
- The reduction in iPTH levels was statistically significant compared to the control group (P <0.001).
- No serious adverse effects or hypocalcemia were reported in the cinacalcet group.
Conclusions:
- Cinacalcet is an effective and safe treatment for severe SHPT in children with ESKD.
- It offers a promising alternative for managing refractory SHPT.
- Further large-scale, long-term studies are warranted to confirm safety and efficacy.
Abstract:
Advanced chronic kidney disease with mineral and bone disorder have a significant obstacles to control serum bone profile [serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium and phosphorus] which subsequently have major effect on optimal bone strength, final adult height, and cardiovascular health. A retrospective, observational study, including a total of 36 children with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Fourteen children who were prescribed cinacalcet had been compared with the remaining 22 children who were managed with standard care. We report the efficacy and safety of cinacalcet for treatment of refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in children with ESKD. After 6 months of cinacalcet treatment, the mean level of iPTH serum level decreased by 56% from 202 pmol/L [95% confidence interval (CI): 150-253] to 88 pmol/L (95% CI: 41-136), compared to the change observed in the control group (P <0.001). None of our patients reported serious adverse effects or developed hypocalcemia. Cinacalcet could be an effective and safe alternative to treat severe SHPT in children with ESKD. Further long-term and large-scale studies are necessary to confirm its safety and efficacy.
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