PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Rafif A. Al-Ahmed
AU  - Areej A. Sheerah
AU  - Khalid A. Alhasan
AU  - Jameela A. Kari
TI  - Cinacalcet use in pediatric chronic kidney disease
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2020.5.25072
DP  - 2020 May 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 479--484
VI  - 41
IP  - 5
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/5/479.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/41/5/479.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2020 May 01; 41
AB  - 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.