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Common mental health conditions and considerations in pediatric chronic kidney disease

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Abstract

The mental health of youth with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been increasingly recognized as an area of clinical need. The development of mental health concerns is influenced by a range of physiological, psychological, and environmental factors. Some of these factors are common across child development, but some are more unique to youth with CKD. Mental health concerns are associated with increased risk for a range of poor medical outcomes (e.g., adherence, risk of transplant rejection) and quality of life concerns. In this educational review, we discuss the current evidence base regarding the development of mental health concerns in youth with CKD. The review covers multiple domains including mood and anxiety disorders, traumatic stress, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Estimated prevalence and hypothesized risk factors are outlined, and the potential impact of mental health on medical care and functional outcomes are reviewed. Finally, we introduce options for intervention to support positive mental health and offer recommendations for building access to mental health care and improving the mental health education/training of medical professionals.

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Acknowledgements

This project was led by Dr. Mai in collaboration with members of the Psychosocial Working Group of the Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium. Following the primary author, all authors provided generally equal contributions and are thus listed alphabetically by last name.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Cohen Children’s Medical Center, 420 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY, 11364, USA

    Katherine Mai

  2. Department of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Anne E. Dawson

  3. The Kidney and Urinary Tract Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Anne E. Dawson

  4. Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA

    Anne E. Dawson

  5. Division of Clinical Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Lidan Gu

  6. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Riley Children’s Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Julia E. LaMotte

  7. Division of Pediatric Psychology and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Stephen Molitor

  8. Division of Psychology and Nephrology Service, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Cortney T. Zimmerman

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  1. Katherine Mai
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  2. Anne E. Dawson
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  3. Lidan Gu
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  4. Julia E. LaMotte
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  6. Cortney T. Zimmerman
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Correspondence to Katherine Mai.

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Answers: 1; c. 2; d. 3; a. 4; d. 5; b.

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Mai, K., Dawson, A.E., Gu, L. et al. Common mental health conditions and considerations in pediatric chronic kidney disease. Pediatr Nephrol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-024-06314-8

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