- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Children’s Hospital Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
Objective: Over the previous decade, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has been identified as a key biomarker in the context of cardiovascular diseases(CVD). The primary goal of this investigation was to determine the association between FGF23 and the susceptibility to CVD among children and adolescents.
Methods: We performed an electronic search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, covering the period from their inception until August 4, 2022. The random effects model was applied. Additionally, we conducted stratified analyses and performed a sensitivity analysis as part of our further investigation.
Results: A total of 11 studies involving 1,428 participants, including 366 individuals with cardiovascular disease and 1,062 control subjects, were included in the analysis. Children and adolescents with cardiovascular disease exhibited significantly higher serum FGF-23 levels compared to the control group [standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53–2.03; I2 = 93.0%], as determined using a random-effects model. In categorical analyses across six studies, the pooled odds ratio did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with disease risk [odds ratio (OR) = 1.64, 95% CI 0.86–3.12; I2 = 100.0%]. Meta-regression analysis, accounting for variables such as type of cardiovascular disease, assay type, chronic kidney disease (CKD) status, and CKD stage, yielded a restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimate of (τ2 = 0.2321) for the SMD outcome, indicating residual heterogeneity (I2_res ≈ 70.3%) and an adjusted R2 of 83.6%. The joint test for covariates was not statistically significant (Knapp–Hartung corrected Prob > F = 0.3165). For the categorical outcome, the meta-regression analysis produced a boundary estimate (τ2 = 0) with I2_res = 0% and a non-significant joint test (Prob > F = 0.3479); however, these findings are likely influenced by the limited number of studies and restricted degrees of freedom.
Conclusion: Serum FGF-23 levels are elevated in pediatric populations with cardiovascular disease, but study-specific thresholds have not shown a clear independent association with risk. The variability in findings, reliance on observational study designs, and differences in assay methods contribute to the uncertainty about its prognostic value. Therefore, standardized prospective studies reporting on renal function and mineral metabolism markers are needed.
Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023480899, PROSPERO CRD42023480899.
Introduction
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands as the primary global cause of mortality, accounting for approximately 17.9 million deaths, equivalent to roughly one-third of all global fatalities (1, 2). Across the past several decades, there has been a consistent uptick in the prevalence of obesity and other risk factors associated with CVD in children, observed in both developed and developing countries (3). These increases can be attributed to significant factors such as reduced physical activity levels and the consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient-density diets (4). Consequently, CVD, which is presently on the rise worldwide, has emerged as a significant public health challenge in the 21st century (5). Among children and adolescents, there is a growing adoption of unhealthy lifestyle practices, and this is a contributing factor to the overall elevation of cardiovascular risk in this population (6). Multiple prospective investigations have highlighted that risk factors for CVD during childhood have a tendency to endure into adulthood (7, 8).
It is widely recognized that fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) plays a crucial role as a regulator of phosphate and vitamin D, and it is indispensable for mineral and bone metabolism (9). The FGF23 protein consists of 251 amino acids, representing the full-length form of a 32-kilodalton (kDa) protein (10). FGF23 belongs to the FGF family and includes the N-terminal segment responsible for processing (11), as well as the C-terminal segment that interacts with α-Klotho (12). It is primarily produced and released by osteocytes and osteoblasts. The intact FGF23 (iFGF23) protein is enzymatically cleaved by subtilisin-like proprotein convertases at the Arg179 and Ser180 position, yielding inactive N- and C-terminal fragments (13). Three variations can be detected in the blood: N-terminal FGF23, C-terminal FGF23 (cFGF23), and the intact, full-length iFGF23. It is believed that only the intact iFGF23 has the capacity to bind to the FGFR1c/α-Klotho complex and initiate downstream signaling pathways (14, 15).
In addition to its established functions, recent studies have revealed possible connections between FGF23 and cardiovascular well-being (16, 17). The influence of FGF23 on cardiac myocytes, vascular cells, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (18, 19), whether direct or indirect, raises the possibility of its role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Considering the pivotal role of FGF23 in mineral metabolism, it is of utmost significance to investigate its connection with CVD in children and adolescents. Thus, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the association between serum FGF-23 levels and clinical indicators, specifically aiming to assess the utility of FGF-23 as a predictor of CVD in the pediatric and adolescent population.
Methods
Search strategy and study selection
In designing the search strategy, the study adhered to the guidelines outlined in the “Cochrane Guidelines for Systematic Reviews of Health Promotion and Public Health Interventions. English-language articles published from their inception until August 4, 2022, were searched for in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase. The search incorporated terms and keywords associated with fibroblast Growth Factor-23, cardiovascular disease, cardiac events, pediatric, and children. The detailed search strategy can be found in “Supplementary Appendix 1: Search strategy.”
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
The included articles met the following criteria: (1) Participants were children or adolescents; (2) FGF-23 was a primary focus of investigation; and (3) at least one clinical cardiovascular disease outcome was evaluated. Cardiovascular outcomes of interest included myocardial infarction(MI), stroke, heart failure(HF), left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH), high blood pressure(HBP), severe cardiac impairment(SCI), left ventricular mass(LVM), and coronary artery calcification(CAC). Studies were excluded if they met the following criteria: (1) Insufficient data availability; (2) Qualification as a case report, review, abstract, letter, or comment; and (3) Involvement in animal research.
Data extraction and quality evaluation
Two authors independently collected the following details for each relevant study: primary author, country of origin, publication year, sample size, duration of follow-up, FGF23 categories, reported outcomes, method of FGF23 measurement, and odds ratios(ORs) along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) (20) was employed to assess the quality of the studies included, with those scoring higher than 6, suggesting a moderate-to-high risk of bias, being included in the analysis.
Statistical analysis
All analyses were conducted using Stata 14.0. For continuous outcomes, we extracted means and standard deviations and calculated standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals. In cases where only medians and interquartile ranges were reported, we converted these to means and standard deviations using established methodologies. For dichotomous outcomes, we extracted reported odds ratios or event counts and pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q test and the I2 statistic; an I2 value greater than 50% necessitated the use of a random-effects model, while a fixed-effects model was employed otherwise (21). Pre-specified subgroup analyses included FGF-23 assay type (intact vs. C-terminal), chronic kidney disease (CKD) status (presence vs. absence), CKD stage, and type of cardiovascular outcomes (LVH or other). Where data permitted, we planned to conduct multivariable meta-regression to assess the synergistic effects of covariates utilized in subgroup analyses on effect estimates. Sensitivity analyses were performed by sequentially excluding individual studies. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and both Begg's and Egger's tests; where necessary, trim-and-fill correction was applied, and results were reported accordingly.
Results
Literature search and study characteristics
Following the initial search conducted across four databases, we identified a total of 532 studies, with 46 originating from PubMed, 257 from Embase, 1 from the Cochrane Library, and 228 from Web of Science (Figure 1). A total of 419 article abstracts were subjected to screening based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-one studies were initially considered eligible and, as a result, underwent a thorough full-text assessment. Eleven studies (22–32) were eligible for inclusion after a careful review of their full texts. The main characteristics of the included studies are outlined in Table 1. Every study that met the inclusion criteria was published during the period from 2013 to 2023. Out of four continents, Asia and North America had the highest number of published studies (n = 4), followed by Africa (n = 2), and the least was from Europe (n = 1). Across the studies, the sample size varied from 30 to 587, with a cumulative total of 1,428 participants. Among the included studies, six examined C-terminal fragments of FGF23, while four measured intact FGF23.
Study quality
According to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, the 11 observational studies included in this analysis were assessed as moderate to high quality, with 8 studies scoring 7 points and 3 studies scoring 8 points. However, a notable limitation is the lack of reporting or insufficient clarification regarding non-response rates in the two groups, which may compromise the assessment of selection bias (Table 2).
Comparison of FGF-23 levels between children with and without CVD
The pooled random-effects estimate derived from six studies demonstrated that serum FGF-23 levels were significantly elevated in children and adolescents diagnosed with CVD compared to their counterparts without CVD, with a SMD of 1.283 (95% CI: 0.533–2.033), p = 0.001. Notably, there was substantial heterogeneity among the studies, as indicated by an I2 statistic of 93.0% and p < 0.001 (Figure 2A).
Figure 2. Forest plots of FGF23 and CVDs in children and adolescents. (A) FGF-23 levels between children with and without CVD; (B) Association between FGF-23 level and risk of CVD.
Association between FGF-23 level and risk of CVD
In the categorical analysis, six studies comprising 236 cases and 729 controls, assessed the relationship between elevated FGF-23 levels and the risk of CVD. The pooled OR was 1.64 (95% CI: 0.86–3.12, p = 0.133), indicating no statistically significant association. Substantial heterogeneity among the studies was observed (I2 = 100.0%; p < 0.001) (Figure 2B).
Subgroup analysis
Subgroup analyses by FGF-23 assay type, chronic kidney disease (CKD) status, and CKD stage revealed consistent yet heterogeneous patterns. By assay type, both C-terminal and intact FGF-23 levels were higher in CVD cases. C-terminal studies showed a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.568 (95% CI: 0.329–0.808; I2 = 0.0%), while intact studies had a pooled SMD of 1.655 (95% CI: 0.280–3.031; I2 = 95.5%) (Figure 3A). For categorical associations, the C-terminal subgroup demonstrated a significant pooled effect of OR = 2.643 (95% CI: 1.436–4.865; I2 = 0.0%), whereas the intact subgroup did not (Figure 3B).
Figure 3. Subgroup analysis based on FGF23 assay type. (A) FGF-23 levels between children with and without CVD; (B) Association between FGF-23 level and risk of CVD.
In terms of CKD status, studies involving patients with CKD yielded a pooled SMD of 0.841 (95% CI: 0.240–1.443; I2 = 87.6%), while CKD-negative studies produced a larger but imprecise and non-significant SMD of 2.230 (95% CI: −0.611–5.072; I2 = 96.3%) (Figure 4A). For categorical associations, only one study excluded patients with CKD. The subgroup analysis incorporating patients with CKD produced results consistent with the original combined analysis (OR=1.640; 95% CI: 0.859–3.131; I2 = 100%); however, the observed heterogeneity was not sufficiently elucidated (Figure 4B).
Figure 4. Subgroup analysis based on CKD status. (A) FGF-23 levels between children with and without CVD; (B) Association between FGF-23 level and risk of CVD.
Analyses by CKD stage indicated significant elevations in several strata (III–V: SMD 1.356, 95% CI: 0.552–2.161; I–IV: SMD 0.536, 95% CI: 0.279–0.792), though other strata showed inconsistencies (Figure 5A). For categorical associations, based on the extremely high heterogeneity among the studies, the II-V CKD subgroup indicated that FGF-23 increased the risk of CVD (OR=2.815; 95% CI: 1.111–7.134; I2 = 100%) (Figure 5B).
Figure 5. Subgroup analysis based on CKD stage. (A) FGF-23 levels between children with and without CVD; (B) Association between FGF-23 level and risk of CVD.
Overall, assay type and CKD-related factors account for some of the differences observed between studies—C-terminal results were more consistent—yet substantial residual heterogeneity remains in several subgroups, limiting definitive conclusions.
Sensitivity analysis
In the sensitivity analysis, the sequential exclusion of individual studies consistently supported the robustness of the overall conclusion. For comparisons involving continuous variables SMD, the combined effect remained within the range of 0.825–1.548 following the removal of any single study, with each associated 95% confidence interval not crossing zero. These findings are consistent with the overall combined SMD of 1.283 (95% CI: 0.533–2.033) (Figure 6A). In the sensitivity analysis of categorical variables, the combined log effect estimate remained approximately 0.00138937 (95% CI: −0.00168673 to 0.00446547) after the exclusion of individual studies, indicating that no single study exerted a significant influence on the overall effect (Figure 6B).
Figure 6. Sensitivity analysis examining the influence of individual studies on pooled results of FGF-23 levels in children and adolescents. (A) FGF-23 levels between children with and without CVD; (B) Association between FGF-23 level and risk of CVD.
Publication bias
Funnel plots, along with Begg's and Egger's tests, were conducted to evaluate publication bias within the literature. The funnel plot suggests a potential presence of publication bias (Figure 7); however, the p-values obtained from Begg's and Egger's tests do not support the existence of publication bias regarding the continuous (Begg's test p = 0.091; Egger's test p = 0.093) and categorical outcomes (Begg's test p = 0.573; Egger's test p = 0.082).
Figure 7. Funnel plot for publication bias of FGF-23 levels in children and adolescents. Each point represents a separate study for the indicated association. (A) FGF-23 levels between children with and without CVD; (B) Trim and fill analysis.
Meta-regression analyses
In the meta-regression analysis, both models assessed the joint effects of Cvd type, FGF-23 assay, CKD status, and CKD stage on between-study heterogeneity (Supplementary Materials). For the SMD outcome, which included six studies, the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) estimate yielded (tau2 = 0.2321), with residual heterogeneity reported as I-squared_res = 70.33% and Adj R2 = 83.60%. The joint test for covariates was not statistically significant following the Knapp-Hartung correction (Prob > F = 0.3165), and individual covariate coefficients, such as for FGF-23 assay (2.423), exhibited positive trends but lacked statistical significance. In the case of the odds ratio/natural logarithm of the odds ratio (OR/lnOR) outcome, also comprising six studies, the estimate for (tau2) was reported as 0, with I-squared_res = 0% and Adj R2 = 100%. The joint test in this scenario was similarly non-significant (Prob > F = 0.3479); however, this boundary estimate is likely affected by the limited number of studies and the consequent reduction in degrees of freedom.
Discussion
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 observational studies with 1,428 participants (366 with cardiovascular disease and 1,062 controls) found that circulating concentrations of FGF-23 were significantly elevated in children and adolescents with cardiovascular disease. However, categorical analyses using study-specific thresholds did not show a statistically significant association with disease risk. Subgroup analyses indicated that the type of assay (C-terminal vs. intact) and CKD status partially explained the between-study differences, although considerable heterogeneity remained.
According to our analysis, children and adolescents with CVD exhibit elevated serum FGF23 levels. Our finding is in harmony with several investigations conducted in children and adults, all of which have established a compelling link between increased FGF23 levels and unfavorable cardiovascular outcomes. In a study by Isakova et al (22), FGF23 levels were compared between 20 children diagnosed with chronic heart failure (HF) resulting from different causes and a control group of 17 healthy individuals. They observed a twofold rise in FGF23 levels in patients in contrast to healthy controls. Additionally, they detected a noteworthy relationship between FGF23 levels and both the clinical severity of HF and left ventricular (LV) dilatation. Notably, these associations were not influenced by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (22). Studies conducted in adults demonstrated that FGF23 levels were heightened in patients with HF, whether they had preserved EF (33) or reduced EF (34). In addition, in their research, Andersen et al (35) found that patients with acute decompensated HF had elevated serum levels of FGF23.
On the whole, FGF23 serves as a central player in the intricate web of interactions between the skeletal system and other organs. In the present day, it is widely recognized that bones function as an endocrine organ, as they produce hormones that enable communication with other organs (36). Produced and secreted by various tissues, FGF23 functions as a hormone, with the main contributors being osteocytes and mature osteoblasts (37). Nevertheless, recent research has unveiled that an excess of FGF23 can result in adverse effects on multiple organs, including the heart, bone structure, and endothelium (38–40). The acknowledgment of FGF23's presence and its activities in cardiovascular tissues has ignited interest in its possible ramifications for cardiovascular health. It is proposed that FGF23 might exert both direct and indirect influences on cardiac myocytes and vascular cells (19). Furthermore, FGF23 might have an impact on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which plays a pivotal role in regulating blood pressure and cardiovascular physiology (18). These findings indicate that FGF23 may be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including those that affect the pediatric and adolescent population. Contrary to our findings, some investigations in adult populations have shown a substantial independent link between heightened FGF23 levels and the risk of CVD (41, 42). The physiology of FGF-23 in children exhibits several distinctions from that in adults, which may alter cardiovascular associations. Factors such as active bone growth, hormonal changes related to puberty, and the age-dependent expression of FGFRs and α-Klotho can significantly influence circulating levels of FGF-23 and tissue responsiveness (43). These developmental considerations, in conjunction with variations in phosphate handling and vitamin D metabolism, suggest that findings derived from adult populations may not be directly applicable to pediatric cohorts (44). Consequently, age or pubertal stage may serve as effect modifiers and should be systematically reported and analyzed in future research endeavors.
Several limitations restrict the certainty and generalizability of our conclusions. First, the studies included in this review are primarily observational and predominantly cross-sectional or short-term, which precludes causal inference. Second, most studies assessed FGF-23 at a single baseline time point without longitudinal evaluation of biomarker trajectories. Third, assay heterogeneity and inconsistent threshold definitions hinder comparability across studies. Fourth, incomplete reporting of renal function and mineral metabolism markers obstructs comprehensive adjustment for key confounders. Fifth, the considerable heterogeneity between studies diminishes confidence in pooled estimates. Finally, although formal tests (Begg and Egger) did not universally indicate publication bias, funnel plots suggested potential small-study effects that cannot be disregarded.
To address these limitations, future research should prioritize the following: prospective cohort designs with adequate follow-up for definitive cardiovascular endpoints; standardized, well-validated FGF-23 assays with clear distinctions between intact vs. C-terminal methods and units; routine measurement and reporting of renal function and mineral metabolism markers; pre-specified stratification by age and pubertal stage; and harmonized threshold definitions where categorical analyses are intended. Where feasible, an individual participant data meta-analysis would facilitate consistent adjustment for confounders and enable exploration of effect modification.
In conclusion, pediatric patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease exhibit elevated levels of circulating FGF-23 upon continuous measurement; however, categorical analyses employing heterogeneous, study-specific thresholds fail to establish a definitive independent association with disease risk. The current body of evidence is constrained by significant heterogeneity, variability in assay techniques, and the predominance of cohorts enriched with CKD. As a result, the prognostic significance of FGF-23 in children and adolescents remains indeterminate. Therefore, well-structured prospective studies utilizing standardized assays and comprehensive reporting of renal and mineral metabolism parameters are essential to ascertain whether FGF-23 can be regarded as a reliable biomarker for cardiovascular health in the pediatric population.
Data availability statement
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.
Author contributions
JN: Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Writing – review & editing, Resources, Project administration, Writing – original draft. ZZ: Project administration, Writing – original draft, Software, Data curation, Investigation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing. WY: Writing – review & editing, Investigation, Data curation, Software, Writing – original draft, Methodology, Validation, Formal analysis. XC: Visualization, Project administration, Writing – original draft, Supervision, Methodology, Writing – review & editing, Software. XY: Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing, Resources, Writing – original draft, Supervision, Project administration, Methodology. YX: Resources, Formal analysis, Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Software. YY: Formal analysis, Methodology, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Project administration, Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing.
Funding
The author(s) declared that financial support was not received for this work and/or its publication.
Conflict of interest
The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Generative AI statement
The author(s) declared that generative AI was not used in the creation of this manuscript.
Any alternative text (alt text) provided alongside figures in this article has been generated by Frontiers with the support of artificial intelligence and reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, including review by the authors wherever possible. If you identify any issues, please contact us.
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Supplementary material
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2026.1682239/full#supplementary-material
References
1. Timmis A, Vardas P, Townsend N, Torbica A, Katus H, De Smedt D, et al. European Society of Cardiology: cardiovascular disease statistics 2021. Eur Heart J. (2022) 43:716–99. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab892
2. Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, Carson AP, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2020 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. (2020) 141:e139–596. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000757
3. Ng M, Fleming T, Robinson M, Thomson B, Graetz N, Margono C, et al. Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2013. Lancet. (2014) 384:766–81. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60460-8
4. Andersson C, Vasan RS. Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in young individuals. Nat Rev Cardiol. (2018) 15:230–40. doi: 10.1038/nrcardio.2017.154
5. Kristensen PL, Wedderkopp N, Møller NC, Andersen LB, Bai CN, Froberg K. Tracking and prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors across socio-economic classes: a longitudinal substudy of the European Youth Heart study. BMC Public Health. (2006) 6:1–9. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-6-20
6. Patterson KA, Ferrar K, Gall SL, Venn AJ, Blizzard L, Dwyer T, et al. Cluster patterns of behavioural risk factors among children: longitudinal associations with adult cardio-metabolic risk factors. Prev Med. (2020) 130:105861. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105861
7. Webber LS, Srinivasan SR, Wattigney WA, Berenson GS. Tracking of serum lipids and lipoproteins from childhood to adulthood: the Bogalusa heart study. Am J Epidemiol. (1991) 133:884–99. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a115968
8. Rademacher ER, Jacobs DR Jr, Moran A, Steinberger J, Prineas RJ, Sinaiko A. Relation of blood pressure and body mass index during childhood to cardiovascular risk factor levels in young adults. J Hypertens. (2009) 27:1766. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e32832e8cfa
9. Erben RG. Physiological actions of fibroblast growth factor-23. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). (2018) 9:267. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00267
10. Takashi Y, Fukumoto S. FGF23 beyond phosphotropic hormone. Trends Endocrinol Metab. (2018) 29:755–67. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2018.08.006
11. Fukumoto S, Yamashita T. FGF23 is a hormone-regulating phosphate metabolism—unique biological characteristics of FGF23. Bone. (2007) 40:1190–5. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2006.12.062
12. Yamazaki Y, Tamada T, Kasai N, Urakawa I, Aono Y, Hasegawa H, et al. Anti-FGF23 neutralizing antibodies show the physiological role and structural features of FGF23. J Bone Miner Res. (2008) 23:1509–18. doi: 10.1359/jbmr.080417
13. Shimada T, Mizutani S, Muto T, Yoneya T, Hino R, Takeda S, et al. Cloning and characterization of FGF23 as a causative factor of tumor-induced osteomalacia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (2001) 98:6500–5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.101545198
14. Chen G, Liu Y, Goetz R, Fu L, Jayaraman S, Hu M-C, et al. α-Klotho is a non-enzymatic molecular scaffold for FGF23 hormone signalling. Nature. (2018) 553:461–6. doi: 10.1038/nature25451
15. Urakawa I, Yamazaki Y, Shimada T, Iijima K, Hasegawa H, Okawa K, et al. Klotho converts canonical FGF receptor into a specific receptor for FGF23. Nature. (2006) 444:770–4. doi: 10.1038/nature05315
16. Yamada S, Tsuruya K, Taniguchi M, Yoshida H, Tokumoto M, Hasegawa S, et al. Relationship between residual renal function and serum fibroblast growth factor 23 in patients on peritoneal dialysis. Ther Apher Dial. (2014) 18:383–90. doi: 10.1111/1744-9987.12170
17. Isakova T, Xie H, Barchi-Chung A, Vargas G, Sowden N, Houston J, et al. Fibroblast growth factor 23 in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Clin J Ame Soc Nephrol. (2011) 6:2688. doi: 10.2215/CJN.04290511
18. Latic N, Erben RG. Interaction of vitamin D with peptide hormones with emphasis on parathyroid hormone, FGF23, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Nutrients. (2022) 14:5186. doi: 10.3390/nu14235186
19. Leifheit-Nestler M, Haffner D. Paracrine effects of FGF23 on the heart. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). (2018) 9:278. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00278
20. Stang A. Critical evaluation of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for the assessment of the quality of nonrandomized studies in meta-analyses. Eur J Epidemiol. (2010) 25:603–5. doi: 10.1007/s10654-010-9491-z
21. Takeshima N, Sozu T, Tajika A, Ogawa Y, Hayasaka Y, Furukawa TA. Which is more generalizable, powerful and interpretable in meta-analyses, mean difference or standardized mean difference? BMC Med Res Methodol. (2014) 14:1–7. doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-14-30
22. Isakova T, Houston J, Santacruz L, Schiavenato E, Somarriba G, Harmon WG, et al. Associations between fibroblast growth factor 23 and cardiac characteristics in pediatric heart failure. Pediatr Nephrol. (2013) 28:2035–42. doi: 10.1007/s00467-013-2515-7
23. Ali FN, Falkner B, Gidding SS, Price HE, Keith SW, Langman CB. Fibroblast growth factor-23 in obese, normotensive adolescents is associated with adverse cardiac structure. J Pediatr. (2014) 165:738–43.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.06.027
24. Sinha MD, Turner C, Booth CJ, Waller S, Rasmussen P, Goldsmith DJ, et al. Relationship of FGF23 to indexed left ventricular mass in children with non-dialysis stages of chronic kidney disease. Pediatr Nephrol. (2015) 30:1843–52. doi: 10.1007/s00467-015-3125-3
25. Falkner B, Keith SW, Gidding SS, Langman CB. Fibroblast growth factor-23 is independently associated with cardiac mass in African-American adolescent males. J Am Soc Hypertens. (2017) 11:480–7. doi: 10.1016/j.jash.2017.04.001
26. Mudi A, Ntsinjana H, Dickens C, Levy C, Ballot D. Cardiac changes and their association with fetuin-A and fibroblast growth factor-23 in children with chronic kidney disease. Nephron. (2017) 136:233–42. doi: 10.1159/000470858
27. Mitsnefes MM, Betoko A, Schneider MF, Salusky IB, Wolf MS, Jüppner H, et al. FGF23 and left ventricular hypertrophy in children with CKD. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. (2018) 13:45. doi: 10.2215/CJN.02110217
28. Lin Y, Shi L, Liu Y, Zhang H, Liu Y, Huang X, et al. Plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 is elevated in pediatric primary hypertension. Front Pediatr. (2019) 7:135. doi: 10.3389/fped.2019.00135
29. Palupi-Baroto R, Hermawan K, Murni IK, Nurlitasari T, Prihastuti Y, Sekali DRK, et al. High fibroblast growth factor 23 as a biomarker for severe cardiac impairment in children with chronic kidney disease: a single tertiary center study. Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis. (2021) 14:165–71. doi: 10.2147/IJNRD.S304143
30. Singh G, Mishra OP, Abhinay A, Agarwal V, Mishra SP, Dwivedi AD, et al. Fibroblast growth factor 23 level and cardiovascular parameters in children with chronic kidney disease. Indian J Pediatr. (2024) 89:1–7. doi: 10.1007/s12098-021-03927-x
31. Elzayat RS, Bahbah WA, Elzaiat RS, Elgazzar BA. Fibroblast growth factor 23 in children with or without heart failure: a prospective study. BMJ Paediatr Open. (2023) 7:e001753. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001753
32. Zhu Y, Hu Z, Liu Y, Qin C, Chen X, Shi Y, et al. Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, fibroblast growth factor-23, and C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 with coronary artery calcification in nondialysis chronic kidney disease patients. Renal Fail. (2023) 45:2220412. doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2023.2220412
33. Roy C, Lejeune S, Slimani A, de Meester C, Ahn AS, Rousseau MF, et al. Fibroblast growth factor 23: a biomarker of fibrosis and prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. ESC Heart Fail. (2020) 7:2494–507. doi: 10.1002/ehf2.12816
34. Gruson D, Lepoutre T, Ketelslegers J-M, Cumps J, Ahn SA, Rousseau MF. C-terminal FGF23 is a strong predictor of survival in systolic heart failure. Peptides. (2012) 37:258–62. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.08.003
35. Andersen IA, Huntley BK, Sandberg SS, Heublein DM, Burnett JC. Elevation of circulating but not myocardial FGF23 in human acute decompensated heart failure. Nephrol Dial Transplant. (2016) 31:767–72. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfv398
36. Dallas SL, Prideaux M, Bonewald LF. The osteocyte: an endocrine cell… and more. Endocr Rev. (2013) 34:658–90. doi: 10.1210/er.2012-1026
37. Hu MC, Shiizaki K, Kuro-o M, Moe OW. Fibroblast growth factor 23 and klotho: physiology and pathophysiology of an endocrine network of mineral metabolism. Annu Rev Physiol. (2013) 75:503–33. doi: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-030212-183727
38. Mirza MA, Larsson A, Lind L, Larsson TE. Circulating fibroblast growth factor-23 is associated with vascular dysfunction in the community. Atherosclerosis. (2009) 205:385–90. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2009.01.001
39. Faul C, Amaral AP, Oskouei B, Hu M-C, Sloan A, Isakova T, et al. FGF23 induces left ventricular hypertrophy. J Clin Invest. (2011) 121:4393–408. doi: 10.1172/JCI46122
40. Murali SK, Roschger P, Zeitz U, Klaushofer K, Andrukhova O, Erben RG. FGF23 regulates bone mineralization in a 1, 25 (OH) 2D3 and klotho-independent manner. J Bone Miner Res. (2016) 31:129–42. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.2606
41. Akhabue E, Wong M, Mehta R, Isakova T, Wolf M, Yancy C, et al. Fibroblast growth factor-23 and subclinical markers of cardiac dysfunction: the coronary artery risk development in young adults (CARDIA) study. Am Heart J. (2022) 245:10–8. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2021.11.009
42. Xu L, Hu X, Chen W. Fibroblast growth factor-23 correlates with advanced disease conditions and predicts high risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. J Nephrol. (2019) 32:307–14. doi: 10.1007/s40620-018-0557-4
43. Clinkenbeard E. Fibroblast growth factor 23 bone regulation and downstream hormonal activity. Calcif Tissue Int. (2023) 113:4–20. doi: 10.1007/s00223-023-01092-1
Keywords: adolescents, cardiovascular diseases, children, fibroblast growth factor 23, meta-analysis, systematic review
Citation: Na J, Zhen Z, Yu W, Chen X, Yu X, Xiao Y and Yuan Y (2026) Associations between fibroblast growth factor 23 and cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Pediatr. 14:1682239. doi: 10.3389/fped.2026.1682239
Received: 8 August 2025; Revised: 24 December 2025;
Accepted: 5 January 2026;
Published: 27 January 2026.
Edited by:
Inga Voges, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, GermanyReviewed by:
Neven M. Sarhan, Misr International University, EgyptGabriela Handzlik, Medical University of Silesia, Poland
Lucilla Crudele, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
Pramila Kalra, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, India
Copyright: © 2026 Na, Zhen, Yu, Chen, Yu, Xiao and Yuan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Yanyan Xiao, eGlhb3lhbnlhbjAwQHNpbmEuY29t; Yue Yuan, eXliY2gyMDIzQDE2My5jb20=