Safety and efficacy of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for the management of acute and chronic hyperkalemia in children with chronic kidney disease 4-5 and on dialysis

BACKGROUND

Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC), an ion-exchange resin, is effective in the control of hyperkalemia in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD); reports of use in children are limited. Prolonged therapy with SZC to relax dietary potassium restriction in CKD has not been examined.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients 6 months to 18 years of age with CKD stage 4-5 or on dialysis (5D) administered SZC for sustained hyperkalemia (potassium ≥ 5.5 mEq/L, three consecutive values). Patients received SZC (0.5-10 g per dose; age-based) either short-term (< 30 days) or long-term (> 30 days).

RESULTS

Twenty patients with median age 10.8 (inter-quartile range 3.9, 13.4) years were treated with SZC. Short-term SZC, for 5 (3, 19) days, was associated with safe management of dialysis catheter insertions (n = 5) and access dysfunction (n = 4), and was useful during palliative care (n = 1). Serum potassium levels decreased from 6.7 (6.1, 6.9) to 4.4 (3.7, 5.2) mEq/L (P < 0.001). Long-term SZC for 5.3 (4.2, 10.1) months achieved decline in serum potassium from 6.1 (5.8, 6.4) to 4.8 (4.2, 5.4) mEq/L (P < 0.001). SZC use was associated with liberalization of diet (n = 6) and was useful in patients with poor adherence to dietary restriction (n = 3). Adverse events or edema were not observed; serum sodium and blood pressure remained stable.

CONCLUSIONS

SZC was safe and effective for the management of acute and chronic hyperkalemia in children with CKD4-5/5D. Its use was associated with relaxation of dietary potassium restriction. Studies to examine its routine use to improve diet and nutritional status in children with CKD are required.

Diagnosis and management of mineral and bone disorders in infants with CKD: clinical practice points from the ESPN CKD-MBD and Dialysis working groups and the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce

BACKGROUND

Infants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) form a vulnerable population who are highly prone to mineral and bone disorders (MBD) including biochemical abnormalities, growth retardation, bone deformities, and fractures. We present a position paper on the diagnosis and management of CKD-MBD in infants based on available evidence and the opinion of experts from the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN) CKD-MBD and Dialysis working groups and the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce.

METHODS

PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes) questions were generated, and relevant literature searches performed covering a population of infants below 2 years of age with CKD stages 2-5 or on dialysis. Clinical practice points (CPPs) were developed and leveled using the American Academy of Pediatrics grading matrix. A Delphi consensus approach was followed.

RESULTS

We present 34 CPPs for diagnosis and management of CKD-MBD in infants, including dietary control of calcium and phosphate, and medications to prevent and treat CKD-MBD (native and active vitamin D, calcium supplementation, phosphate binders).

CONCLUSION

As there are few high-quality studies in this field, the strength of most statements is weak to moderate, and may need to be adapted to individual patient needs by the treating physician. Research recommendations to study key outcome measures in this unique population are suggested. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Do health visitors advise mothers about vitamin supplementation for their infants in line with government recommendations to help prevent rickets?

BACKGROUND

Increasing numbers of children are presenting with nutritional rickets. Rickets affects mainly dark-skinned infants being breastfed for prolonged periods without vitamin supplementation. The main aim of this study was to assess health visitors' (HV) knowledge of the government guidelines for vitamin supplementation for infants and children and the advice given to mothers.

METHODS

Questionnaires were sent to all HV in Brent, Harrow and Westminster Primary Care Trusts (PCT). Information received was collated and used to assess HV knowledge.

RESULTS

A total of 98 (69%) questionnaires were returned from HV. Seventy-nine HV (81%) recommend vitamins for the breastfed infant at 6 months or younger, 18 of which would recommend at 1 month of age. Fifty-six HV (57%) recommend vitamins until 5 years of age. Seventy-nine HV correctly identified Asians to be at risk of developing rickets. However, only 28 and 16 HV, respectively, identified Black Africans and Black Caribbeans to be at risk.

CONCLUSION

Rickets has become a national public health issue. The majority of HVs is advising vitamin supplements according to government guidelines for breastfeeding infants and the age to which children should continue vitamin supplements. However, ethnic minority groups are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Consequently, greater awareness needs to be raised about the government guidelines for vitamin D supplementation for ethnic minorities to ensure all HVs are imparting consistent, correct advice to these families.