Abstract
An altered erythrocyte carnitine status was found in 9 (Group A) of 12 pediatric patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Upon entrance to the study, Group A patients had been on CAPD a mean of 17.2±6.2(SE) months, while Group B patients (normal carnitine status) had been on CAPD a mean of 9±2.6 months (p<.05). Mean red blood cell carnitine concentration (RC) in controls was 0.157±0.06 nmol/mg Hgb. Base line mean RC was .035+.027 nmol/mg Hgb and .151±.057 nmol/mg Hgb in Groups A and B, respectively. The base line mean weekly loss of carnitine in peritoneal effluent was 1350±952 μmol in Group A and 478±119 μmol in Group B (p<.10). There was no difference in the plasma carnitine concentration between the two groups and all but two patients had a normal value. Eleven of the 12 patients received oral L-carnitine (100 mg/kg) for up to 3 months. The RC increased in all patients and a normal value was achieved in 7 of 8 treated Group A patients. The RC decreased to a level below that of the normal range once carnitine supplementation was discontinued. Patients on CAPD have been reported to have normal plasma carnitine concentrations. The RC may provide a more accurate assessment of carnitine status and has not previously been measured in such patients. We have observed an altered erythrocyte carnitine status, as assessed by RC, in 9 pediatric patients on CAPD. In addition, this abnormality appears to be responsive to oral replacement therapy.
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Warady, B., Borum, P., Stall, C. et al. 1652 ERYTHROCYTE CARNITINE STATUS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS ON CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL DIALYSIS (CAPO). Pediatr Res 19, 386 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01676
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01676