The role of carnitine in maintenance dialysis therapy.

Creator(s)

Heather A. Morgans, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Vimal Chadha, Chlldren's Mercy HospitalFollow
Bradley A. Warady, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2021

Identifier

DOI: 10.1007/s00467-021-05101-z

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.

Journal Title

Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany)

Volume

36

Issue

8

First Page

2545

Last Page

2551

Keywords

Anemia; Carnitine; Deficiency; Hemodialysis; Kidney replacement therapy; Peritoneal dialysis; Supplementation

Recommended Citation

Morgans HA, Chadha V, Warady BA. The role of carnitine in maintenance dialysis therapy. Pediatr Nephrol. 2021;36(8):2545-2551. doi:10.1007/s00467-021-05101-z