Dyslipidemias in the pediatric chronic kidney disease patient

Abstract

The association between renal diseases and dyslipidemia has been recognized for a long time. Dyslipidemia increases the risk of cardiovascular events, contributes to the progression of renal insufficiency, and has been associated with allograft injury in renal transplant recipients. Although it is well known that the process of atherosclerosis begins in childhood, there were a limited number of studies in pediatric patients with chronic kidney diseases. The pattern of dyslipidemia differs among the major categories of renal diseases: nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal insufficiency/end-stage renal disease, and renal transplantation. Some patients with certain diseases encountered each of these stages progressively; thus, exposure to dyslipidemia can be more extended. In this chapter, epidemiology, causes, clinical implications, and treatment of lipid abnormalities in major renal disease categories of pediatric patients are discussed in light of the limited number of studies in this population. Concerning the differences between the disease profile of adults and children, adult data could not be directly translated in children. Thus, prospective investigations regarding the clinical implications and treatment of dyslipidemia in pediatric patients with kidney diseases are needed.