Racial variation in cardiovascular disease risk factors among European children on renal replacement therapy-results from the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry

Hypertension in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the current literature regarding hypertension (HTN) following pediatric solid organ transplant (SOTx), including definition, prevalence, risk factors, outcomes, and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

In recent years several new guidelines for the definition, monitoring, and management of pediatric HTN have been published, but with no specific recommendations regarding SOTx recipients. HTN remains highly prevalent, yet underdiagnosed and undertreated in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients, especially when ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is utilized. There are little data regarding its prevalence in other SOTx recipients. HTN in this population is multifactorial and is associated with HTN status prior to Tx, demographic factors (age, sex, and race), weight status, and immunosuppression protocol. HTN is associated with subclinical cardiovascular (CV) end-organ damage, including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and arterial stiffness, yet there are no recent data regarding its long-term outcomes. There are also no updated recommendations regarding the optimal management of HTN in this population. Given its high prevalence and the young age of this population facing years at increased CV risk, post-Tx HTN requires more clinical attention (routine monitoring, frequent application of ABPM, better BP control). Additional research is needed for a better understanding of its long-term outcomes as well as its treatment and treatment goals. Much more research is needed regarding HTN in other pediatric SOTx populations.

A systematic review of social determinants of health in pediatric organ transplant outcomes

BACKGROUND

Equitable access to pediatric organ transplantation is critical, although risk factors negatively impacting pre- and post-transplant outcomes remain. No synthesis of the literature on SDoH within the pediatric organ transplant population has been conducted; thus, the current systematic review summarizes findings to date assessing SDoH in the evaluation, listing, and post-transplant periods.

METHODS

Literature searches were conducted in Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases.

RESULTS

Ninety-three studies were included based on pre-established criteria and were reviewed for main findings and study quality. Findings consistently demonstrated disparities in key transplant outcomes based on racial or ethnic identity, including timing and likelihood of transplant, and rates of rejection, graft failure, and mortality. Although less frequently assessed, variations in outcomes based on geography were also noted, while findings related to insurance or SES were inconsistent.

CONCLUSION

This review underscores the persistence of SDoH and disparity in equitable transplant outcomes and discusses the importance of individual and systems-level change to reduce such disparities.

Policy in pediatric nephrology: successes, failures, and the impact on disparities

Pediatric nephrology has a history rooted in pediatric advocacy and has made numerous contributions to child health policy affecting pediatric kidney diseases. Despite this progress, profound social disparities remain for marginalized and socially vulnerable children with kidney disease. Different risk factors, such as genetic predisposition, environmental factors, social risk factors, or health care access influence the emergence and progression of pediatric kidney disease, as well as access to life-saving interventions, leading to disparate outcomes. This review will summarize the breadth of literature on social determinants of health in children with kidney disease worldwide and highlight policy-based initiatives that mitigate the adverse social factors to generate greater equity in pediatric kidney disease.