title: Chronic Kidney Disease-associated Pruritus in Children.
abstract: This study evaluated the frequency and severity of pruritus and dry skin in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A total of 103 children were included: 72 with CKD stage 3–5 (34 on dialysis and 38 treated conservatively without dialysis) and 31 as a reference group. Pruritus was assessed using the 4-item Itch Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale. Skin dryness was evaluated clinically, by non-invasive assessment of epidermal hydration and measurement of transepidermal water loss. Pruritus occurred in 20.8% of children with CKD, 18.4% on conservative treatment (receiving supportive care without dialysis) and 23.5% on dialysis. Xerosis was more common in children with pruritus (66.7%) than in those without pruritus (50.9%). Patients with pruritus had a significantly lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and a higher ratio of calcium × phosphate product (Ca × P). In conclusion, CKD-associated pruritus occurs not only in adults, but also in children, and it may already be present in the early stages of CKD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Regional Specialist Hospital, Center for Research and Development, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wojtowicz-Prus
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kiliś-Pstrusińska
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zachwieja
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miklaszewska
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szczepanska
authors.forename: Jacek C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Szepietowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires