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The role of carnitine in maintenance dialysis therapy

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Abstract

Carnitine metabolism and homeostasis is significantly altered in patients receiving maintenance dialysis. Current literature in the adult and pediatric dialysis populations suggest a high prevalence of carnitine deficiency, which may lead to erythropoietin-resistant anemia, cardiomyopathy, and muscle weakness. However, the results of pediatric dialysis studies are limited and have not provided the evidence necessary to support strong recommendations or guidelines pertaining to carnitine management. The characteristics and function of carnitine, the definition and consequences of deficiency, a brief overview of recent adult studies, and current studies on carnitine supplementation in pediatric hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) populations are discussed in this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Heather A. Morgans, Vimal Chadha & Bradley A. Warady

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  1. Heather A. Morgans
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  2. Vimal Chadha
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  3. Bradley A. Warady
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Correspondence to Bradley A. Warady.

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Morgans, H.A., Chadha, V. & Warady, B.A. The role of carnitine in maintenance dialysis therapy. Pediatr Nephrol 36, 2545–2551 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-021-05101-z

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