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Outcome and growth of infants with severe chronic renal failure

J A Kari1, C Gonzalez, S E Ledermann

  • 1Renal Unit, Gt. Ormond St. Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, England, United Kingdom.

Kidney International
|April 12, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Infants with severe chronic renal failure (CRF) have high early mortality, but early enteral feeding improves growth outcomes. With intervention, height standard deviation scores normalize by one year of age.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Growth and Development
  • Renal Failure Management

Background:

  • Assessed outcomes and growth in 101 infants with severe chronic renal failure (CRF), defined by a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <20 mL/min/1.73 m2.
  • Median age at presentation was 0.3 years, with a median follow-up of 7.6 years.
  • One- and five-year survival rates were 87% and 78%, respectively.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term outcomes and growth patterns in infants diagnosed with severe chronic renal failure (CRF).
  • To determine the impact of early nutritional interventions on growth parameters in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 101 infants with severe CRF (GFR <20 mL/min/1.73 m2) presenting between 1986 and 1998.
  • Evaluation of growth (height standard deviation score, BMI) in 81 survivors, with detailed analysis of nutritional support (enteral feeding, gastrostomy) and renal replacement therapy (transplantation, dialysis).

Main Results:

  • The mean height standard deviation score improved significantly from -2.16 at 6 months to -0.85 at 10 years (P < 0.001).
  • Eighty-one percent of survivors received early enteral feeding, with 46% requiring gastrostomy.
  • Body mass index remained within the normal range for most patients.

Conclusions:

  • Mortality in infants with CRF is concentrated in the first year of life.
  • Early enteral nutrition is associated with achieving normal height standard deviation scores by one year of age in infants with severe CRF.
  • Aggressive nutritional management and timely renal replacement therapy are crucial for improving growth and survival.
Abstract

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