Intradialytic parenteral nutrition in malnourished children treated with hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the feasibility and effectiveness of intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) in children on hemodialysis.

DESIGN

Prospective experimental study with a single intervention group.

SETTING

A pediatric hemodialysis unit.

SUBJECTS

Four malnourished children on hemodialysis (3 girls and 1 boy) 4 to 18 years of age were studied during a period of 1 year.

INTERVENTION

IDPN, which is composed of amino acids (8.5% solution), glucose (as 10% to 15% dextrose), and 20% fat emulsion, was administered at every dialysis session (3 times a week, during 4 hours each time) for 7 to 12 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Oral caloric intake (evaluated by using a 3-day diet history), dry weight (weight after dialysis), body mass index, percent ideal body weight, total lymphocyte count, and serum levels of albumin before, immediately after cessation of IDPN, and 3 months after cessation of IDPN.

RESULTS

Oral caloric intake increased markedly after IDPN administration, from 5 to 63 kcal/kg/d (mean, 33 kcal/kg/d) before IDPN administration to 35 to 177 kcal/kg/d (mean, 86 kcal/kg/d) at the time of cessation. Weight did not change during the treatment period but it did increase from 9.5 to 36.4 kg (mean, 25 kg) to 11 to 39 kg (mean, 26.7 kg) 3 months later. Percent ideal body weight increased from 73% to 88% (mean, 78.5%) to 79% to 90% (mean, 85.1%), and body mass index increased from 12.2 to 15 kg/m(2) (mean, 13.5 kg/m(2)) to 13.4 to 15.5 kg/m(2) (mean, 14.6 kg/m(2)). Total lymphocyte count increased from 538 to 2,041 cells/mm(3) (mean, 1,403 cells/mm(3)) to 724 to 2,884 cells/mm(3) (mean, 2,066 cells/mm(3)). Plasma levels of albumin increased in 1 patient but remained unchanged in others.

CONCLUSION

Short-term IDPN treatment may serve as a safe and effective nutritional intervention in malnourished children on hemodialysis.