JAMA Netw Open

Childhood cancer survivors face higher risk of chronic kidney disease, hypertension

May 29, 2025

Study details: A population-based matched cohort study in Ontario, Canada, included over 10,000 childhood cancer survivors (CCS) diagnosed at ≤18 years and followed for a median of 7 to 8 years post-diagnosis. Each survivor was matched 1:4 to two comparator groups: a hospitalized pediatric cohort and a general pediatric population cohort, with matching on age, sex, socioeconomic status, and prior hospitalization.

Results: Cumulative incidence of CKD or hypertension was 20.85% in CCS compared with 16.47% in the hospitalized cohort and 8.05% in the general pediatric cohort. Adjusted hazard ratios demonstrated that CCS had a twofold higher risk compared with hospitalized children (hazard ratio [HR], 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86–2.14) and nearly fivefold higher risk compared with the general pediatric population (HR, 4.71; 95% CI, 4.27–5.19).

Clinical impact: These findings underscore the need for early detection and management of CKD and hypertension in childhood cancer survivors to mitigate late complications and reduce mortality risk. Routine long-term surveillance for renal and CV sequelae should be considered standard in this high-risk population.

Source:

Lebel A, et al. (2025, May 1). JAMA Netw Open. Chronic Kidney Disease or Hypertension After Childhood Cancer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40388170/