Searching the optimal PTH target range in children undergoing peritoneal dialysis: new insights from international cohort studies

Abstract

The treatment of the mineral and bone disorder associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD-MBD) remains a major challenge in pediatric patients. The principal aims of therapeutic measures are not only to prevent the debilitating skeletal complications and to achieve normal growth but also to preserve long-term cardiovascular health. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are used as a surrogate parameter of bone turnover. Whereas it is generally accepted that serum calcium and phosphate levels should be kept within the range for age, current pediatric consensus guidelines differ markedly with respect to the optimal PTH target range and operate on a limited evidence base. Recently, the International Pediatric Dialysis Network (IPPN) established a global registry collecting detailed clinical and biochemical information, including data relevant to CKD-MBD in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD). This review highlights the current evidence basis regarding the optimal PTH target range in pediatric CKD patients, and re-assesses the current guidelines in view of the outcome data collected by the IPPN registry. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of CKD-MBD outcome measures in this global patient cohort, a PTH target range of 1.7-3 times the upper limit of normal (i.e. 100-200 pg/ml) appears reasonable in children undergoing chronic PD.