Bk. Dare et al., AN EVALUATION STUDY TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL USE OF RENAMIL (FORMERLY NAMED REN-O-MIL) FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE, Journal of human nutrition and dietetics, 10(1), 1997, pp. 25-36
Background: Renamil has been formulated as a milk substitute/nutrition
al supplement for renal patients. This 3-month study of 16 selected pa
tients, six with chronic renal failure, six on chronic intermittent ha
emodialysis and four on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAP
D), was carried out to evaluate the potential use of Renamil within th
ese patient groups. Methods: An initial dose was recommended and advic
e provided on the use of Renamil. Palatability and acceptability of th
e product were assessed by questionnaire. The patients' serum biochemi
stry and nutritional status were monitored. The prescription of Renami
l was adjusted during the trial according to individual dietary requir
ements, fluid allowance and product tolerance. Results: Ten patients (
62.5%) completed the trial. Palatability and ease of use were importan
t factors. Renamil was used in a wide variety of ways and compared fav
ourably with other milk substitutes/nutritional supplements. Conclusio
ns: Our findings suggest that Renamil (until recently named Ren-o-mil)
does have a role in the nutritional support of renal patients. It is
the only milk substitute that has been specifically designed for renal
patients. Its formulation makes it useful for the majority of pre-dia
lysis patients, a smaller but significant proportion of haemodialysis
patients, but only a limited number of patients on CAPD.