Children with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Closer Look at Calcium, Phosphate and Vascular Calcification

Abstract

Calcium and phosphate are normal constituents to maintain healthy bones. But in kidney failure, they get turned into hidden and dangerous assassins, ready to cause serious damage to the kidneys, bones and the vasculature. How these previously normal elements become so dangerous and how to reduce these threats will be the focus of this communication. Finally, we shall highlight recent data concerning arterial wall stiffness and the risk of vascular calcification in children with chronic kidney disease.