Background/aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of whole blood viscosity and plasma nitric oxide on cerebral and cardiovascular risks associated with chronic kidney disease. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 40 pediatric patients and 21 healthy control subjects. Hematologic and biochemical variables, viscosity and plasma nitric oxide levels, echocardiographic findings, and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity were examined. Results: Viscosity values of patients were significantly lower than those of the control group. Lower values of hematocrit, total protein, and albumin and higher values of ferritin in all patient groups resulted in significantly low viscosity levels. Plasma nitric oxide levels were higher in all patient groups than those in the controls. No statistically significant difference was present in middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity between the patient and control groups. Even when systolic functions were normal, the patient group had significant deterioration in diastolic functions, suggesting morbidity and mortality risks. Conclusions: Cerebral blood flow velocities were not affected by viscosity and nitric oxide levels, suggesting that cerebral circulation has the ability to make adaptive modulation. The metabolism of nitric oxide levels needs further investigation and studies in patients with chronic renal disease
