Actual diet and nutritional deficiencies status in children on peritoneal dialysis at the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics

Abstract

Nutrition is essential for children with end-stage renal disease, especially for those suffering from peritoneal dialysis (PD). Although the number of PD children has increased annually at the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics, studies about the diet and nutritional deficiencies status of PD children is still limited. The aim of this study was to describe the actual diet and status of nutritional deficiencies of PD patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 31 PD children aged 2–15 years old using the 24-h dietary recall and biochemical parameters in blood (albumin, hemoglobin, calcium, sodium, potassium, and chloride). The energy intake was lowest in children over 13-year-old with only 32.9% of dietary reference intakes (DRIs). Carbohydrate intake among 10–15-year-old children was 38.1% of DRIs. Daily consumption of sodium was 65.6% and 33%–35% of DRIs for children under and over three-year-old, respectively. In comparison with DRIs, daily consumption of magnesium, iron, and calcium of over 10-year-old children was lower than that of younger children. In terms of vitamins, B-group vitamins, Vitamin C achieved the recommended levels except Vitamin A (63.0%) and Vitamin D (20.0%). The prevalence of children with serum albumin concentration lower than the normal range was 45.2% and prevalence of anemia was 51.6%. The proportion of children with decreased plasma calcium, sodium, and potassium levels was 83.8%, 77.4%, and 12.9%, respectively. PD children’s diet lacks energy, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, as well as micronutrients. The prevalence of nutritional deficiencies is remarkably high in PD children.