Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease: Identification of Novel Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Taiwan has the highest incidence and prevalence rates of end-stage renal disease all over the world. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) becomes a global public health burden, which can begin in earliest childhood. CKD in childhood differs from that in adults. Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) is the leading cause of childhood CKD. Children with CKD due to CAKUT have the highest risk of having a genomic imbalance. Thus, early identification of genotype-phenotype correlations to develop novel therapeutic approaches might reduce the heavy burden of CKD for the future of Taiwan.

Study design:

1. A 3-year prospective cohort study.

2. Sample size: 125 children and adolescents with stage G1-G4 CKD, age 3 to 18 yr, and 30 controls.

3. Measurement: Measurements of morphological (e.g., LVMI & cIMT) and functional characteristics (e.g., FMD & PWV) of the cardiovascular system and 24hr ABPM profile will serve as surrogate end points for CV comorbidity in this study. Possible associations of these end points with multiple molecular (ADMA & urine exosome miRNA), perceived value and behavior (EQ-5D-Y), pharmacological (NHIRD and CGRD), and environmental risk factors (patient and family survey) will be explored.