Evaluation of Ultrasensitive C-Reactive Protein as a Cardiovascular Risk Marker in Pediatric Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

Background: Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) experience high morbidity and mortality due to Cardiovascular (CV) disease. In pediatric patients, CV problems include Left Ventricular (LV) abnormalities, hypertension, and arrhythmias. The classic CV Risk Factors (RF) are not adequate to identify CV risk in these patients, but inflammation markers such as Ultrasensitive C-Reactive Protein (USCRP) may be useful in detecting early CV disease. The objective was to assess CV risk in pediatric patients with ESRD on PD and evaluate the utility of USCRP as a CV risk marker.