ENERGY-BALANCE IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG-ADULTS RECEIVING HEMODIALYSIS FOR CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

This study was designed to determine the contribution of energy expend iture to the energy imbalance seen in uraemic children. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured using open-circuit indirect calorimetr y in eight uraemic haemodialysed subjects aged 9.3-20.4 years and in 1 0 healthy children. Linear correlations between REE and both body weig ht and fat-free mass as measured by anthropometry were found in both c ontrols and uraemic subjects (respectively: r = 0.76 and r = 0.88 for body weight and r = 0.73 and r = 0.90 for fat-free mass). Measured REE in uraemic patients was not different from the value predicted by usi ng actual body weight and fat-free mass in the regression equation of REE on body weight and fat-free mass in controls (paired t test: p = 0 .70 and p = 0.19 respectively). These data suggest that the energy imb alance seen in uraemic children is not due to increased energy expendi ture and is therefore probably due to decreased food intake.