Do sex and gender influence chronic kidney disease in pediatrics? Epidemiological study conducted in two referral hospitals in Paraguay
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Keywords

Sex
Gender
Chronic kidney disease
Pediatrics
Mortality
Dialysis

How to Cite

1.
Troche A, Avalos DS, Martínez Pico M, Real Delor RE, Gómez N, Servin L, Adorno Arrúa T de J, Basabe A. Do sex and gender influence chronic kidney disease in pediatrics? Epidemiological study conducted in two referral hospitals in Paraguay. Rev. Colomb. Nefrol. [Internet]. 2026 May 4 [cited 2026 May 11];13(1). Available from: https://revistanefrologia.org/index.php/rcn/article/view/974

Abstract

Introduction: Sex (biological aspect) and gender (social aspect) differences are becoming relevant in nephrology. Understanding their impact in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may improve equitable access to treatment.

Objectives: to determine the influence of sex and gender on the evolution of CKD in pediatrics, identifying possible inequalities in health care.

Materials and Methods: retrospective correlational study of 216 patients ?18 years, with CKD, in 2 reference centers in Paraguay, in the period 2000 - 2020.

Sociodemographic, clinical, treatment, mortality data were analyzed, associating: sex with baseline disease (BD) and gender with origin, social security, late consultation, dialysis, mortality. The analysis was performed with EPI INFO 7.2.3, calculating frequencies and proportions for qualitative variables; for quantitative variables, normality was evaluated, presenting the results as median and interquartile range (IQR).

Results: median age was 7 years (RIC: 3-12), 42.6 % were adolescents, 50 % females. 61.04 % of girls came from the interior of the country vs. 38.96 % of boys (p = 0.007). Most frequent BD: glomerulopathies (19.9 %) in girls and congenital anomalies (57.4 %) in boys. Girls were admitted with stage 5 CKD more frequently (47.66 % vs. 42.59 %, p: 0.45); they consulted later (58.33 % vs. 51.85 %, p: 0.33) and required dialysis more frequently (60.19 % vs. 49.07 %, p: 0.1). Mortality was 21 % in both genders.

Conclusions: There could be differences in the management of pediatric CKD related to sex and gender, pointing to the need for more equitable health policies in Paraguay.

https://doi.org/10.22265/acnef.13.1.974
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