Breaking News:Childhood CKD Rising Despite Global Incidence Shifts– What Just Happened

Global Study Maps Incidence, Mortality, And Long-Term Trends in Paediatric Kidney Disease

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE (CKD) continues to pose a significant and uneven global health burden among children and adolescents, according to a new analysis of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data. The study provides one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of CKD incidence, mortality, and disability across individuals aged 0–19 years, revealing widening disparities linked to socioeconomic development and access to care.

Researchers analysed global estimates of incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), alongside regional trends and projections through 2050. In 2021, an estimated 7.54 million children and adolescents worldwide were newly affected by CKD, corresponding to an age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) of 28.62 per 100,000 population. Central Asia recorded the highest incidence rates, while low-middle Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) regions experienced the fastest growth, with incidence increasing steadily over time.

Adolescent Cases Rise Sharply as Disparities Widen Across Regions

The analysis showed a particularly marked increase among adolescents aged 14–19 years, with incidence rising by more than 44%. Mortality rates were strongly linked to socioeconomic development, with lower SDI regions experiencing significantly higher death rates. Investigators also reported that the concentration index for CKD-related DALYs became more negative between 1990 and 2021, indicating a growing disease burden among disadvantaged populations.

Access to kidney replacement therapy (KRT), including dialysis and transplantation, emerged as a key factor influencing outcomes. Regions with greater availability of KRT consistently experienced lower CKD-related disability burdens, underscoring the importance of equitable healthcare infrastructure.

Using a Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model, the authors projected that global incidence rates may gradually decline by 2050, with the ASIR expected to fall to approximately 25.54. However, they cautioned that improvements may not be evenly distributed without targeted policy interventions.

The findings highlight the urgent need for earlier detection strategies, particularly in lower-SDI regions where disease burden remains highest. The authors emphasise that strengthening early screening programmes, expanding health education, and improving access to treatment could help reduce long-term cardiovascular and kidney failure risks in young populations.

Overall, the study underscores that while paediatric CKD remains a global concern, addressing socioeconomic inequalities and investing in early intervention may be critical to reversing current trends and improving outcomes for children and adolescents worldwide.

Reference

Zhang X et al. Global, regional, and national burden of CKD in children and adolescents. NDT. 2026;doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfag018.