The Relationship of Serum Uric Acid With Neurocognitive Functions in Children and Adolescents With Mild to Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2026
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.12.024; PMCID: PMC12908617
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to affect the neurocognitive functioning in children with CKD, even in those with mild to moderate CKD. What is not well understood is the underlying mechanisms involved in this disruption of neurocognitive abilities. While serum uric acid (SUA) is a known factor in the disruption of neurocognition in adults with CKD, it has not been well studied in children. The primary purpose of this study was to address this gap in the literature by examining the association between both serum SUA level and change in SUA level with selected neurocognitive functions in children and adolescents with mild to moderate CKD.
METHODS: The sample included 593 participants with mild to moderate CKD for the North American Chronic Kidney Disease in Children study. Assessment of neurocognition included measures of IQ, problem solving, selective attention, working memory, and parent ratings of executive functions.
RESULTS: After statistical adjustment, findings did not reveal any clear patterns of association between SUA (cross-sectionally or annualized change) and any of the neurocognitive outcomes. The significant findings that were present for both verbal and visual working memory functions suggested that medium to high levels of SUA may be exerting some neuroprotective function on lessening risk for cognitive dysfunction (i.e., attention regulation).
CONCLUSIONS: In one of the first studies to examine SUA and neurocognition in children with mild to moderate CKD, no clear associations were uncovered.
Journal Title
Pediatric neurology
Volume
176
First Page
112
Last Page
116
PubMed ID
41576520
Keywords
CKiD; Cognition in CKD; Mild to moderate CKD; Pediatric CKD
Recommended Citation
Hooper SR, Roem J, Schneider MF, et al. The Relationship of Serum Uric Acid With Neurocognitive Functions in Children and Adolescents With Mild to Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease. Pediatr Neurol. 2026;176:112-116. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.12.024
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Comments
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