Nutritional Management of the Adult Renal Transplant Patient

Abstract

Abstract A large number of dialysis patients in the United States undergo renal transplantation. Because of the varied periods of time on dialysis, the multiple comorbid diseases that patients have, and the multitude of medications that these patients require, there are many alterations in the nutritional status and needs of these patients. The transplantation period is characterized by many nutritional stresses peculiar to transplantation, especially because of the drug therapy required to maintain the transplant. Nutritional evaluation, recommendations, and therapy should begin in the pretransplantation period and extend throughout the life of the renal transplant. Attention to the adequate intake of calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals is required. Unfortunately, few data exist that can be used to guide the nutritionist in formulating a nutritional therapy plan that can be used to ameliorate the adverse effects of cyclosporine and corticosteroid therapy, as well as the stresses of transplantation and rejection. Although it is logical to believe that nutritional recommendations that are appropriate for non-renal replacement therapy patients would be appropriate for transplant patients, data to confirm this do not exist. A review of available pertinent literature and current recommendations are provided.