Abstract

Background: Patients with end-stage renal failure resort to different forms of renal replacement therapy, including peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and renal transplantation. Hemodialysis patients often have reduced L-carnitine levels predisposing them to different musculoskeletal myopathies. This study aims to evaluate the beneficial circumstances of administering L-carnitine to dialyzed patients regarding improvements in the values of Parathyroid hormone (PTH), Calcium (Ca), Hemoglobin (HB), and Vitamin D levels (Vit D).
Methodology: This experimental study was conducted in a non-randomized manner among a sample size of seven pediatric patients under 18 years of age undergoing dialysis with low L-carnitine levels in King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, throughout 6 to 10 months. L-carnitine was administered at a fixed dose of 50 mg/kg. Our focus was directed on the levels PTH, Ca2+, Hb, VitD, and PO4.
Results: The mean of phosphate was not significant with p-value 0.499. The mean of PTH level before administering the drug was 134.26 and after administering the drug it was found 57.41. This decrease was statistically significant with p-value 0.028. The mean of Ca was not significant with p-value 0.735. The mean of HB is not significant with p-value 0.499. The mean of Vit D was not significant (p-value 0.237).
Conclusion: The only significant statistical result was involving PTH. Decreasing the level of PTH had several advantages most importantly it led to reduction of bone resorption; therefore, maintaining bone density and decreasing the likelihood of developing degenerative bone diseases.

Key words: Pediatric, hemodialysis, L-carnitine