Incidence of and risk factors for short stature in children with chronic kidney disease: results from the KNOW-Ped CKD

Background Preserving optimal growth has long been a significant concern for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to examine the incidence of and risk factors for short stature in Asian pediatric patients with CKD. Methods We analyzed growth status by height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores (SDSs) for 432 participants in the KoreaN cohort study for Outcome in patients With Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease. Results The median height, weight, and BMI SDSs were - 0.94 (interquartile range (IQR) -1.95 to 0.05), - 0.58 (IQR - 1.46 to 0.48), and - 0.26 (IQR - 1.13 to 0.61), respectively. A high prevalence of short stature (101 of 432 patients, 23.4%) and underweight (61 of 432 patients, 14.1%) was observed. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, CKD stages 4 and 5 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.700, p = 0.001), onset before age 2 (aOR 2.928, p < 0.0001), underweight (aOR 2.353, p = 0.013), premature birth (aOR 3.484, p < 0.0001), LBW (aOR 3.496, p = 0.001), and low household income (aOR 1.935, p = 0.030) were independent risk factors associated with short stature in children with CKD. Conclusions Children with CKD in Korea were shorter and had lower body weight and BMI than the general population. Short stature in children with CKD was most independently associated with low birth weight, followed by premature birth, onset before age 2, CKD stages 4 and 5, underweight, and low household income. Among these, underweight is the only modifiable factor. Therefore, we suggest children with CKD should be carefully monitored for weight, nutritional status, and body composition to achieve optimal growth.

Automated summary

The study found that children with CKD in Korea had a higher prevalence of short stature and underweight compared to the general population. Independent risk factors associated with short stature in these children included CKD stages 4 and 5, premature birth, underweight, low birth weight, and low household income. Among these factors, underweight is the only modifiable factor.