Ferric citrate therapy and kidney disease in children
Official title: Phosphate binder therapy and chronic kidney disease in children
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11505274 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-center study tests whether ferric citrate helps children with chronic kidney disease by affecting a specific blood marker over a year.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $37,050 |
| NIH project number | 3U01DK122013-06S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11505274 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 6 to 18 with CKD stage 3–4 and normal phosphate levels, enrolled at participating sites.
✕Less likely to help
Children outside the 6–18 age range or with different CKD stages or phosphate status may not benefit.
What this research studies
This trial enrolls 6- to 18-year-olds with CKD stages 3–4 to receive ferric citrate or placebo for 12 months in a double-blind setup. It will track changes in a key blood factor (iFGF23) to understand how the treatment influences mineral balance. The study is conducted at 18 US sites and 2 Canadian sites, with data and samples shared with the scientific community. If successful, it could inform safer, more effective management of mineral disorders in pediatric CKD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the ferric citrate strategy proves beneficial, children with CKD may have better mineral balance and related health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous adult studies in similar areas have informed pediatric research; this study extends the approach to children.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salusky, Isidro B. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Salusky, Isidro B.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.