Jw. Foreman et al., NUTRITIONAL INTAKE IN CHILDREN WITH RENAL-INSUFFICIENCY - A REPORT OFTHE GROWTH FAILURE IN CHILDREN WITH RENAL DISEASES STUDY, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 15(6), 1996, pp. 579-585
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.