Interdialytic weight gain and vasculopathy in children on hemodialysis: a single center study

BackgroundIncreased interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) has been associated with poor outcomes in adults, but its impact on hemodialysis vasculopathy in children is unknown.MethodsNineteen patients (age 9 to 19years old) with a median hemodialysis duration of 10.4months were enrolled. Cardiovascular evaluation included left ventricular mass index (LVMI), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) measurements. PWV and cIMT were expressed as z-scores based on reference values in healthy children. Blood pressure (BP) evaluation consisted in a 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. Mean IDGW and residual urine output during the 6months prior to cardiovascular examination were calculated.ResultsIncreased cIMT, LVMI, and PWV was observed in 11 (57.9%), 7 (36.8%), and 5 (26.3%) patients respectively, while BP was normal in all patients. Median IDWG was 3.5% (1.8-6.7). Residual urine output and BP status did not significantly differ between patients with IDWG or <4%. After linear regression, IDWG was correlated to cIMT z-score (r(2)=0.485, p=0.001), but not to PWV z-score (r(2)=0.04, p=0.415) and LVMI (r(2)=0.092, p=0.206). After univariate logistic regression, IDWG 4% was significantly associated to increased cIMT (above 1.65 SDS) (odds ratio 12.25, 95% confidence interval 1.08-138.988). The trend toward an increased cIMT with IDWG 4% was observed in both patients with short and long dialysis vintage.ConclusionsHigh IDWG is associated with increased cIMT in hemodialyzed children independently of BP control and dialysis vintage. This observation reinforces the importance of interventions to avoid IDWG in hemodialyzed children.