Cochrane review: Interventions for bone disease in children with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Geary Denis F , Hodson Elisabeth M , Craig Jonathan C 
Published: March 2011

Background

Bone disease is common in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and when untreated may result in bone deformities, bone pain, fractures and reduced growth rates.

Objectives

To investigate the benefits and harms of interventions for preventing and treating bone disease in children with CKD.

Search strategy

The Cochrane Renal Group's specialised register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, reference lists and abstracts were searched without language restriction.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different interventions used to prevent or treat bone disease in children with CKD stages 2‐5D compared with placebo, no treatment or other agents were included. Studies examining different routes or frequency of treatment were also included.

Data collection and analysis

Data were extracted by two authors. The random‐effects model was used and results were reported as risk ratios or risk differences for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals.

Main results

Fifteen RCTs (369 children) were identified. Compared with oral calcitriol, intraperitoneal calcitriol significantly reduced the level of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) but there were no significant differences in bone histology or other biochemical measures (2 RCTs). There were no significant differences detected in growth, PTH, serum calcium or phosphorus between daily versus intermittent calcitriol (3 RCTs). Vitamin D therapy significantly reduced PTH levels compared with placebo or no treatment. The number of children with hypercalcaemia did not differ significantly between groups (4 RCTs). No significant differences were detected in growth rates, bone histology or biochemical parameters between calcitriol and either dihydrotachysterol or ergocalciferol (2 RCTs). Though fewer episodes of hypercalcaemia were reported with sevelamer, no significant differences were detected in serum calcium, phosphorus and PTH levels between calcium‐containing phosphate binders and either aluminium hydroxide or sevelamer (4 RCTs).

Authors' conclusions

Bone disease, assessed by changes in PTH levels, is improved by all vitamin D preparations. However no consistent differences between routes of administration, frequencies of dosing or vitamin D preparations have been demonstrated. Though fewer episodes of high calcium levels occurred with the non calcium‐containing binder, sevelamer, compared with calcium‐containing binders, there were no differences in serum phosphorus and calcium overall and phosphorus values were reduced to similar extents. All RCTs were small with few data available on patient‐centred outcomes (growth, bone deformities) and limited data on biochemical parameters resulting in considerable imprecision of results thus limiting the applicability to care of children with CKD.

Plain Language Summary

Interventions for bone disease in children with chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) resulting in reduced kidney function and the need for dialysis and kidney transplant is associated with abnormalities in blood calcium and phosphorus levels leading to high levels of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and to bone disease. This may result in bone deformities, bone pain, fractures and reduced growth rates. Commonly used treatments (Vitamin D compounds and phosphate binders) aim to prevent or correct these outcomes. However these treatments may raise levels of blood calcium, allow calcium and phosphorus deposition in blood vessels and lead to early cardiovascular disease, which is known to be a problem in adults with CKD. This review identified only 15 small RCTs involving 369 children comparing different vitamin D compounds, different routes and frequencies of administration of vitamin D compounds and different phosphate binders. Only five RCTs reported on growth rates and no differences were detected between treatments. Renal bone disease, as assessed by changes in PTH levels, was improved by all vitamin D preparations regardless of preparation used or the route or frequency of administration. Fewer episodes of high blood calcium levels and lower overall serum calcium levels occurred with the non calcium‐containing binder, sevelamer, compared with calcium‐containing binders. As newer treatments for renal bone disease are developed, comparisons with the current standard therapies will be required in well designed RCTs in children using outcome measures including those of direct clinical relevance to children and their families such as rates of growth, reduction in bone fractures and bone pain and reduction in calcification in blood vessels.