Cinacalcet for secondary hyperparathyroidism in end-stage renal disease patients below age 5 years

• Published in: Clinical nephrology Vol. 92; no. 6; pp. 279 - 286
• Main Authors: Joseph, Catherine, Shah, Shweta, Geer, Jessica, Juarez-Calderon, Marisa, Srivaths, Poyyapakkam R, Swartz, Sarah J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Dustri - Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle GmbH & Co. KG 01.12.2019
• Subjects: Age; Calcimimetic Agents - therapeutic use; Child, Preschool; Cinacalcet - therapeutic use; Congenital diseases; Female; Growth hormones; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary - drug therapy; Infant; Kidney diseases; Kidney Failure, Chronic - complications; Laboratories; Male; Ostomy; Patient safety; Pediatrics; Peritoneal Dialysis; Renal Dialysis; Retrospective Studies; Studies; Vitamin D
• ISSN: 0301-0430
• DOI: 10.5414/CN109871

Management of chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is challenging. While the use of calcimimetics is well-studied in adults on dialysis, few studies have been performed in pediatrics. Little is known about the use of cinacalcet in young children with ESRD. The aim of this study was to report the efficacy and safety of cinacalcet for treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic dialysis patients younger than 5 years. We included children aged < 5 years on chronic dialysis, either hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD), who were prescribed cinacalcet for more than 1 month. Retrospective chart review was performed to gather demographics, dialysis prescription, relevant mineral imbalance laboratory parameters, and medications. Data was collected for 6 consecutive months. 18 patients (9 male), mean age at initiation of cinacalcet was 2.3 years; 13 PD and 5 HD. Average starting dose of cinacalcet: 6.2 mg daily, 0.55 mg/kg/day. Average time on dialysis was 14.4 months. Parathyroid hormone significantly decreased over the 1 month following initiation of cinacalcet from 929 (IQR 572 - 1,056) to 427 (IQR 256 - 778) pg/mL, p = 0.009. Three patients developed asymptomatic hypocalcemia (Ca < 9.4 mg/dL). Serum phosphorous decreased after initiation, and this was persistent at 6 months. Significant improvement in linear growth was observed while on cinacalcet and growth hormone (GH). Cinacalcet can be effectively used in young children on dialysis with minimal side effects. Good linear growth was seen in patients on cinacalcet and GH therapy. Long-term large scale data is necessary to confirm. Institution-based management algorithm incorporating cinacalcet would be helpful to maintain uniformity in role of cinacalcet for management of CKD-MBD.