@article {Al-Ahmed479, author = {Rafif A. Al-Ahmed and Areej A. Sheerah and Khalid A. Alhasan and Jameela A. Kari}, title = {Cinacalcet use in pediatric chronic kidney disease}, volume = {41}, number = {5}, pages = {479--484}, year = {2020}, doi = {10.15537/smj.2020.5.25072}, publisher = {Saudi Medical Journal}, abstract = {Objectives: To evaluate the practice and attitude of pediatrics nephrologists about cinacalcet use in children.Methods: An electronic structured questionnaire was answered by pediatric nephrologists practicing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Gulf Council countries (GCC).Results: A total of 42 pediatric nephrologists responded, of them, 42\% used cinacalcet for young children <=5 years of age and 79\% used for children. There were wide variations in the method of administration (examples: crushed, divided, whole tablets), monitoring, doses and response definition, and follow-up. No serious complications after starting cinacalcet was observed in 50\%, while 40\% reported various complications, mainly hypocalcemia (70\%). Cinacalcet was stopped without achieving the target parathyroid hormone in more than half (55\%) of children because of intractable adverse effects (40\%), poor response (30\%), non-adherence (25\%), or high cost (5\%).Conclusion: Cinacalcet is used by the majority of pediatric nephrologists in KSA and GCC. A standard clinical guideline is needed to be followed by all users.}, issn = {0379-5284}, URL = {https://smj.org.sa/content/41/5/479}, eprint = {https://smj.org.sa/content/41/5/479.full.pdf}, journal = {Saudi Medical Journal} }