Pediatric Renal Nutrition

Children with renal insufficiency or kidney disease require a special diet. Renal insufficiency occurs when the kidneys are unable to excrete daily loads of waste. Renal insufficiency may eventually lead to the more severe problem of renal failure.

Kidney Function

• Healthy kidneys effectively excrete potassium, sodium and nitrogen. When renal insufficiency occurs, pediatric renal nutrition must account for the body's inability to excrete these nutrients.

Treatment

• Dialysis and diet are part of the medical treatment for pediatric kidney failure. The pediatric dialysis diet is used to replace necessary nutrients that the dialysis treatment removes. Prior to dialysis, a very strict diet is recommended that will minimize the compounds in the body that the kidneys can no longer handle.

Pre-Dialysis Diet

• When the kidneys are starting to fail it is important to limit fluid and protein. The limitation recommendations differ by body weight. Your child's doctor or dietitian should determine if the recommended diet is adequate by consistently monitoring their lab tests.

Post-Dialysis Diet

• After commencing dialysis it is important to increase protein intake above the recommended value for a healthy child. The average pediatric dialysis patient needs at least 2 grams protein per kilogram body weight. These recommendations must be individualized by your child's doctor or dietitian.