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[Nitrogen balance in adolescent patients with chronic renal insufficiency]

R A Lama More1, A Alonso Melgar, M Navarro Torres

  • 1Servicio de Nefrología Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario Materno Infantil La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, España.

Insights

Protein restriction in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can negatively impact nitrogen balance, especially in adolescents. Careful monitoring of energy and protein intake is crucial for managing pediatric CKD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Metabolic Balance Studies

Context:

  • Chronic renal failure (CRF) in children presents unique nutritional challenges.
  • Protein restriction is a debated intervention in pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD).
  • Understanding nitrogen balance is key to assessing nutritional status in growing children with CKD.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate nitrogen balance in preadolescent and adolescent children with chronic renal failure.
  • To determine the correlation between energy/protein intake and nitrogen balance in pediatric CKD.
  • To assess the relationship between renal function (GFR) and nitrogen balance.

Summary:

  • Nitrogen balance was assessed in 60 children (36 preadolescents, 24 adolescents) with CKD (GFR ~53 ml/min/1.73 m2).
  • 55% of all patients exhibited negative nitrogen balance.
  • Preadolescents showed a higher incidence of positive nitrogen balance (72%) compared to adolescents (17%).
  • A strong correlation existed between energy and protein intake and nitrogen balance, independent of renal function.
  • Adolescents predominantly presented with negative nitrogen balance.

Impact:

  • Highlights the risk of negative nitrogen balance with protein restriction in pediatric CKD.
  • Suggests that adolescents with CKD may have different protein requirements than preadolescents.
  • Underscores the need for further protein turnover studies to establish optimal nutritional guidelines for pediatric CKD.
  • Informs clinical practice regarding nutritional management in growing children with kidney disease.
Abstract

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