L-Carnitine Supplementation in Pediatric Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Peritoneal Dialysis

Authors

  • Kittiya Yuekyen Pharmacy Department, Siriraj Hospital
  • Lalitphat Treerattanapun Pharmacy Department, Siriraj Hospital

Keywords:

L-carnitine, carnitine deficiency, peritoneal dialysis, pediatric patients, end-stage renal disease

Abstract

Kidney disease is a serious health problem, and number of patients is gradually climbing. Cause of renal dysfunction in children varies with age. In young children, it is mostly caused by structural or genetic abnormalities. However, Infections and other illnesses are the most common causes in older children. As a consequence, function of kidney is declined and has an impact on waste disposal, water and mineral balance in the body. Carnitine level is also affected and may result in carnitine deficiency with disorder of the body. This deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease are found and known to be caused by inadequate consumption of carnitine-containing food, reduced capacity of kidney to synthesis carnitine, loss of free carnitine during hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, and loss of acyl carnitine by renal excretion. L-carnitine is supplemented as it is an active form but at present, no recommendation for initial dose of L-carnitine in pediatric patients with kidney disease who are on peritoneal dialysis. However, the dose of L-carnitine for those who are on hemodialysis is 10–20 mg/kg after hemodialysis and L-carnitine is administered by injection. In Thailand, L-carnitine is available as oral dosage form only, and its commercial product is food supplement. Nowadays, study on efficacy of L-carnitine in end-stage renal disease is limited, and further study is needed.

Author Biographies

Kittiya Yuekyen, Pharmacy Department, Siriraj Hospital

Pharm.D.(Pharmaceutical Care)

Lalitphat Treerattanapun, Pharmacy Department, Siriraj Hospital

Pharm.D.(Pharmaceutical Care)

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Published

2022-08-31

How to Cite

1.
Yuekyen K, Treerattanapun L. L-Carnitine Supplementation in Pediatric Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Peritoneal Dialysis. Thai J Hosp Pharm [internet]. 2022 Aug. 31 [cited 2026 Jan. 3];32(2):170-87. available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TJHP/article/view/254695

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Continuing Pharmaceutical Education