Poor growth and weight gain are two major problems for children with kidney failure, so diet is usually not restricted unless needed. Children grow fastest during the first two years of life. Therefore, the earlier the age at which kidney failure occurs, the more likely growth will be affected. The goals in feeding a child with kidney failure are to promote normal growth and protect his/her health as much as possible. When the kidneys are not working well, they may not be able to get rid of waste products from foods in the diet. The doctor and dietitian will watch for signs of problems and suggest a diet if needed.
Does my child need to be on a special diet ?
The diet must meet your child’s nutritional needs. Your renal dietitian has been trained to help you make meal plans to meet your child’s needs. She will provide individual counseling and offer helpful suggestions, which take into account your child’s food likes and dislikes. Your child’s diet may need to be changed depending on:
- how well his/her kidneys work
- if he/she is on dialysis and what kind of dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis)
- if he/she has had a kidney transplant.
Your dietitian will help you and your child understand why changes are needed and how to make the changes. It is important to work closely with your child’s dietitian. Because your child’s appetite may change throughout the course of kidney failure, it is important to remember that understanding and patience provide the best chance of success at meal time.
The nutrients most often affected in kidney disease are:
| sodium | potassium |
| phosphorus | protein |
| calories | fluid |
Balancing these nutrients in a healthy diet can be confusing at first. Not all nutrients need to be changed at once. As kidney function decreases, the diet may need to be changed further.
What diet changes are needed before dialysis ?
Before dialysis, few diet changes may be needed. Phosphorus usually is limited at this time, which means less dairy products. Often your child’s appetite may begin to decrease, making it important to encourage him/her to eat. Infants will probably need a special formula to increase calories. Sometimes the amount of fluid your child may have is limited. Despite your best efforts at helping your child meet his/her nutritional needs within necessary diet restrictions, it may be necessary to start supplemental enteral feedings or “tube feedings” to help your child with chronic kidney disease grow and gain weight appropriately. Don’t be discouraged if this happens to your child; it does not mean you are a “bad” parent or can’t provide your child with an appropriate diet. It is just sometimes very difficult for children with chronic kidney disease to find enough foods they are allowed to eat that they actually like. Oftentimes, once tube feedings are started, some of the conflict that may occur between a parent and a child related to diet is decreased. As kidney function decreases prior to starting dialysis, nausea and vomiting may become more common. Mention this to your doctor and dietitian when your child is seen in clinic.
Although your child may be meeting his/her nutritional needs adequately, it is not uncommon for children with chronic kidney disease to be much smaller than other children of the same age. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to consider the use of recombinant growth hormone to optimize your child’s growth. This requires a shot daily or weekly to stimulate improved growth. Talk with your child’s doctor and/or renal dietitian about any concerns you may have about your child’s height.
Prior to starting dialysis, your child with kidney disease may also need extra iron and erythropoietin (or EPO) to treat the anemia frequently seen in patients with chronic kidney disease. When children are anemic or have “low blood counts,” this can affect their energy level and appetite. It is important to treat the anemia, so that your child will have more interest in eating.
What diet should be followed with peritoneal dialysis?
With peritoneal dialysis, your child needs to eat more protein and limit some high phosphorus foods. Since most high-protein foods (dairy products and meats) are also high in phosphorus, your dietitian will help in choosing foods to use. Usually, there is no need to limit potassium, sodium, or fluid. A special vitamin supplement made for people on dialysis is needed. Infant formula may need to have extra protein or calories added to it.
Children on peritoneal dialysis may not have a good appetite. The extra fluid in the abdomens can make them feel full. Your dietitian may suggest high protein, high calorie supplements and frequent, small meals.
What restrictions are needed on hemodialysis?
The following are usually restricted on hemodialysis:
- sodium (canned, processed and packaged foods and table salt)
- potassium (found in many vegetables and fruits)
- fluid (anything that is liquid at room temperature)
- phosphorus (found in dairy products and meats)
What happens after a kidney transplant?
Within the first few weeks after transplantation, you may notice that your child is feeling better and that his/her appetite has improved. If the new kidney is working well, a healthy, balanced diet with “no added salt” (no salt added to cooking or at the table and avoiding very salty foods such as chips, pickles, canned soup, etc.) will be helpful. With successful transplantation, your child’s diet returns to normal. Extra calories and/or protein are usually not needed.
Your infant will be placed on a regular formula. It is not uncommon for children with a new kidney to gain excessive amounts of weight, sometimes due to medications and also due to a less restrictive diet and improved appetite. It is important to encourage your child to be physically active (check with your child’s doctor about any needed restrictions in activity) and to choose a healthy diet. If dialysis is still needed after a transplant, your child may need to return to their previous diet.
Because appropriate growth and weight gain need to continue to be monitored following a successful transplant, your renal dietitian will continue to play an important role in your child’s ongoing medical care.
More than 20 million Americans—one in nine adults—have chronic kidney disease, and most don’t even know it. More than 20 million others are at increased risk. The National Kidney Foundation, a major voluntary health organization, seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. Through its 50 affiliates nationwide, the foundation conducts programs in research, professional education, patient and community services, public education and organ donation. The work of the National Kidney Foundation is funded by public donations.
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