Vitamin D status of children receiving chronic dialysis

Background Patients receiving chronic dialysis therapy are presumed to be at risk for 25(OH) D 3 deficiency, but little information is available on its prevalence, manifestations of deficiency, and the impact of ergocalciferol supplementation. Methods A single-center, retrospective study of 51 prevalent pediatric patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis was conducted to address these issues. Results Forty of 51 (78.4 %) patients had low ( 12-month duration of dialysis were significantly associated with low 25(OH) D 3 levels ( p = 0.006, p = 0.05, and p = 0.04, respectively). Twenty-three of the 40 patients deficient in 25(OH) D 3 received repletion therapy with ergocalciferol and had a follow-up level at an average of 2 months following completion of a single course of therapy; 14 (60 %) of the levels were normal. Mean baseline intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) for patients with 25(OH) D 3 levels ≤ 30 was 478.68 ± 474.01 pg/ml and treatment with ergocalciferol was not associated with a significant decrease in the mean iPTH value ( p = 0.45). Conclusions We conclude that low 25(OH) D 3 levels are common in pediatric patients receiving dialysis and require attention in accordance with current practice guidelines.