In the news: Growth hormone in CKD - Children's National

Andrew Dauber, MD, MMSc, chief of Endocrinology, and Denver Brown, MD, pediatric nephrologist, were featured as guests on The Kidney Chronicles: A Pediatric Nephrology Podcast. The episode focused on growth hormone in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

"As a pediatric nephrologist, it's hard not to be interested in growth since growth failure and short stature is such a common finding in pediatric CKD, so I like to think all of us providers are interested in growth," Dr. Brown said.

Both experts provided insight on common challenges of CKD patients, like when to start growth hormone treatment, how the condition can progress through metabolic acidosis and even the social impacts of common symptoms on everyday life. The episode gave a holistic view of how endocrinology and nephrology work together to support patients with CKD.

"While growth hormone is an important option, and I think an important treatment modality for kids who aren't growing well with CKD, it's just as important for families to think about other coping mechanisms for their kids," Dr. Dauber said. "And that's true for anyone with chronic disease."

Listen to the full episode, "Growth hormone in CKD," on PodBean or Spotify.