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Megestrol acetate improves weight gain in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease

David J Hobbs1, Timothy E Bunchman, David P Weismantel

  • 1Pediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.

Journal of Renal Nutrition : the Official Journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation
|May 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Megestrol acetate (MA) effectively improved weight gain and BMI in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This nutritional strategy demonstrated sustained benefits with minimal adverse effects.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Nutritional Support
  • Chronic Kidney Disease Management

Background:

  • Megestrol acetate (MA) is utilized for weight loss in pediatric patients with various conditions.
  • Its efficacy in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of MA as a nutritional strategy in pediatric patients with CKD.
  • To assess weight gain, BMI changes, and adverse effects associated with MA therapy in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 25 pediatric patients with CKD and poor weight gain.
  • MA administered at doses of 14.4 ± 8.1 mg/kg/d, tapered to 10.1 ± 6.5 mg/kg/d for 5.4 ± 6.3 months.
  • Anthropometric data (weight, BMI, height) collected at six time points, with z-score analysis.

Main Results:

  • MA therapy significantly increased BMI (P < .0001) and weight (P < .0001), with sustained improvements at 8-month follow-up.
  • Patients showed continued increases in height during MA treatment.
  • MA was well tolerated, with only one patient experiencing cushingoid features.

Conclusions:

  • Megestrol acetate (MA) is an effective and safe short-term nutritional strategy for improving weight gain in pediatric CKD patients.
  • MA demonstrates sustained benefits and minimal adverse effects, supporting its use in this patient group.
Abstract

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