Predictive factors of poor nutritional status in children and young adults on chronic hemodialysis: A single center experience.

UNLABELLED: Introduction-Aim: Children with kidney failure (KF) are prompt to undernutrition with subsequent growth failure. The aim of this study was to assess probable correlates of normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) in children on chronic hemodialysis (HD).

METHODS

This prospective study included all 20-year-old or less patients undergoing chronic HD at our pediatric HD unit between 1st January 2024 and 30th April 2024. Patients included had been on HD for more than 3 months and were clinically stable. For each patient, baseline characteristics were recorded along with their echocardiogram findings. Mean nPCR was calculated and potential predictive factors were simultaneously evaluated. Our study included a univariate and a multivariate analysis. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients were included with a mean age of 14.4 ± 3.7 years old and a sex-ratio M/F of 1.9. Twenty-two (55%) had a mean nPCR <1g/kg/day. A strong positive correlation between nPCR and the 3-months body mass index variation percentage was found with a correlation ratio of 0.82. On multivariate analysis, Patients with a single pool KT/V < 1.2 and those exhibiting left ventricular hypertrophy were more likely to have a nPCR value <1g/kg/day (OR: 7.2 and 11.1, 95% CI: 2.28 - 75.23 and 5.5-98,08, respectively). A first hour refill index > 1.7 ml/kg/h/% was also correlated with a low nPCR (Adjusted OR:5.5- 95% CI: 3.2-65.2).

CONCLUSION

Pressure and volume control along with dialysis adequacy are promising factors in improving nutritional status and clinical outcomes in children with KF.