NUTRITIONAL INTAKE IN CHILDREN WITH RENAL-INSUFFICIENCY - A REPORT OFTHE GROWTH FAILURE IN CHILDREN WITH RENAL DISEASES STUDY

Objective: This study was designed to assess sequentially the nutrient intake in children with chronic renal insufficiency and its relations hip to body size, the level of renal failure, and growth velocity. Met hods: The nutrient intake from 401 4-day food records obtained from 12 0 children with renal insufficiency over a 6-month observation period was analyzed. The height and weight were measured at the beginning and end of the observation period. The glomerular filtration rate was est imated from the height and serum creatinine. Results: The mean caloric intake in these children was 80 +/- 23% (mean +/- SD) of the Recommen ded Dietary Allowance (RDA) for age. Fifty-six percent of the food rec ords obtained from these children revealed a caloric intake that was l ess than 80% of the RDA. Caloric intake expressed as the %RDA for age decreased with increasing age. However, the mean caloric intake when f actored by body weight was in the normal range. There was no correlati on between caloric intake and height velocity. The mean protein intake in these children was 153 +/- 53% of the RDA. Further, 45% of the foo d records indicated a protein intake greater than 150% of the RDA. The re was no relationship between the degree of renal insufficiency and c aloric or protein intake. Calcium, vitamin, and zinc intakes were also low. Conclusions: Children with chronic renal failure consume less ca lories than their age matched peers, but the majority of these childre n appear to ingest adequate amounts for their body mass. This reductio n in caloric intake occurs early in renal insufficiency. They also ing est inadequate amounts of calcium, zinc, vitamin B-6, and folate.