Growth in children receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Linear growth of 17 children receiving CAPD was compared with growth in 18 patients receiving hemodialysis and 20 who had undergone transplantation, as well as with the previous growth in 11 of the 17 patients. Growth was normal in 10 receiving CAPD, fair in six others, and poor in only one. Growth velocity indexes in those receiving CAPD were significantly better than those of the group receiving hemodialysis (P less than 0.01) but did not differ significantly from those of children who had undergone kidney transplant. All patients grew significantly better after beginning CAPD than before (P less than 0.01). Appropriate management of renal osteodystrophy combined with adequate energy and protein intake were important factors in the growth of patients receiving CAPD.