Nutritional Status in Children with Chronic Renal Failure on Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background and Aim: Growth retardation is still an important manifestation of children with chronic renal failure (CRF). The aim of this study is to evaluate the growth in relation to nutritional status in Egyptian children with CRF on hemodialysis. Subjects and Methods: The study included 30 Egyptian children above the age of six years on regular haemodialysis at the Haemodialysis Unit of the Centre of Pediatric Nephrology and Transplantation of Cairo University. Anthropometry, biochemical parameters and dietary intake were measured. Anthropometric measurements were expressed as z - scores. Results: Data shows that height was the most affected anthropometric parameter. Short stature in CRF is proportionate and body weight is less affected than height. Dietary analysis showed that 76.7 % of patients had recommended dietary allowance of calories. Height z-score showed a significant positive correlation with caloric intake. On the other hand, the protein intake showed a significant positive correlation with blood urea nitrogen and a significant negative correlation with serum bicarbonate. Conclusions: Nutritional assessment is essential to the management of children with CRF. Anthropometry is a sensitive indicator of the nutritional status. The study recommends avoiding excessive protein intake to prevent metabolic acidosis and accumulation of toxic nitrogen waste products.