Tommy A, Soldera J. Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease in young patients in developing countries. World J Nephrol 2026; 15(2): 117721 [DOI: 10.5527/wjn.v15.i2.117721]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Jonathan Soldera, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology and Acute Medicine, Crn Armstrong and Loganlea Rd Meadowbrook, 4131, QLD, Australia. jonathansoldera@gmail.com
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Urology & Nephrology
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research-article
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Tommy A, Soldera J. Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease in young patients in developing countries. World J Nephrol 2026; 15(2): 117721 [DOI: 10.5527/wjn.v15.i2.117721]
World J Nephrol. Jun 25, 2026; 15(2): 117721 Published online Jun 25, 2026. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v15.i2.117721
Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease in young patients in developing countries
Allieu Tommy, Jonathan Soldera
Allieu Tommy, Department of Acute Medicine, University of South Wales (in association with Learna Ltd.), Cardiff CF37 1DL, United Kingdom
Jonathan Soldera, Department of Gastroenterology and Acute Medicine, University of South Wales (in association with Learna Ltd.), Cardiff CF37 1DL, United Kingdom
Jonathan Soldera, Department of Gastroenterology, Logan Hospital, Brisbane 4131, Queensland, Australia
Co-first authors: Allieu Tommy and Jonathan Soldera.
Author contributions: Both authors conceived the research idea, the theoretical framework, and collected data, discussed the results and contributed to the preparation and final version of the manuscript. Soldera J verified the data and performed the statistical analysis.
AI contribution statement: This manuscript is derived from a Master of Science (MSc) thesis developed by a junior author (Allieu). AI tools were used in a limited capacity to assist with language refinement and summarization during the process of adapting a Master of Science thesis into manuscript form. No section of the manuscript was generated solely by AI without substantial human input, critical review, and revision by the authors. AI tools were not involved in study design, data collection, statistical analysis, or interpretation of results. All scientific content, conclusions, and final wording were determined by the authors. No figures, images, or graphical elements were generated using AI.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Jonathan Soldera, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology and Acute Medicine, Crn Armstrong and Loganlea Rd Meadowbrook, 4131, QLD, Australia. jonathansoldera@gmail.com
Received: December 15, 2025 Revised: January 12, 2026 Accepted: March 9, 2026 Published online: June 25, 2026 Processing time: 183 Days and 8.3 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important but under-recognized cause of morbidity in young people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where epidemiological data in this age group are limited and fragmented. LMICs, as defined by the World Bank, have a gross national income per capita between United States dollar 1136 and United States dollar 13845 (2024).
AIM
To summarize the prevalence of CKD among individuals aged ≤ 25 years in LMICs and to explore sources of between-study variability.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched for original studies reporting CKD prevalence in LMIC populations aged 0-25 years. Study-level proportions were pooled using a random intercept logistic regression model (generalized linear mixed model) with logit transformation. Heterogeneity was quantified using τ2, I2, and Q statistics. Prespecified subgroup analyses stratified studies by world region and study setting (community-based, hospital/clinic-based, CKD/end-stage renal disease registries, and specific disease cohorts). Random-effects meta-regression examined the contribution of region and setting to heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses excluding registry and high-risk cohorts were undertaken to approximate prevalence in more general populations.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies from 17 countries (339940 participants; 96674 CKD cases) were included. The overall pooled prevalence was 11.7% (95% confidence interval: 5.5%-23.3%), with a prediction interval spanning 0.3%-84% and extreme heterogeneity (τ2 = 3.41; I2 = 99.9%). Subgroup analyses showed a clear gradient by setting, from lowest prevalence in community-based samples to highest in registries and disease-specific cohorts. Meta-regression indicated that setting explained 36.8% and region 28.2% of between-study variance, while both combined explained 61.4%. In sensitivity analyses restricted to more general populations, pooled prevalence was in the 4%-5% range (random-effects 95% confidence interval: 2%-9%), although heterogeneity remained high.
CONCLUSION
CKD in young people in LMICs is common and highly variable, largely reflecting differences in study setting and geography, and warrants targeted early detection and surveillance strategies.
Core Tip: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 0-25-year-old patients living in low- and middle-income countries is substantially under-recognized and highly variable across settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis show that CKD prevalence in individuals ≤ 25 years can reach clinically important levels even in community-based samples, and that much of the between-study variability is explained by study setting and region. These findings highlight the urgent need for standardized screening strategies, harmonized epidemiological methods, and national CKD registries focused on young populations in resource-limited settings.
