Nutritional management of the infant with chronic kidney disease stages 2-5 and on dialysis

Nutritional management of the child with chronic kidney disease and on dialysis

While it is widely accepted that the nutritional management of the infant with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is paramount to achieve normal growth and development, nutritional management is also of importance beyond 1 year of age, particularly in toddlers, to support the delayed infantile stage of growth that may extend to 2-3 years of age. Puberty is also a vulnerable period when nutritional needs are higher to support the expected growth spurt. Inadequate nutritional intake throughout childhood can result in failure to achieve full adult height potential, and there is an increased risk for abnormal neurodevelopment. Conversely, the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among children with CKD underscores the necessity for effective nutritional strategies to mitigate the risk of metabolic syndrome that is not confined to the post-transplant population. Nutritional management is of primary importance in improving metabolic equilibrium and reducing CKD-related imbalances, particularly as the range of foods eaten by the child widens as they get older (including increased consumption of processed foods), and as CKD progresses. The aim of this review is to integrate the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) for children (1-18 years) with CKD stages 2-5 and on dialysis (CKD2-5D). We provide a holistic approach to the overall nutritional management of the toddler, child, and young person. Collaboration between physicians and pediatric kidney dietitians is strongly advised to ensure comprehensive and tailored nutritional care for children with CKD, ultimately optimizing their growth and development.

Clinical practice guideline for the prevention and management of peritoneal dialysis associated infections in children: 2024 update

Infection-related complications remain the most significant cause for morbidity and technique failure in infants, children and adolescents who receive maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD). The 2024 update of the Clinical Practice Guideline for the Prevention and Management of Peritoneal Dialysis Associated Infection in Children builds upon previous such guidelines published in 2000 and 2012 and provides comprehensive treatment guidance as recommended by an international group of pediatric PD experts based upon a review of published literature and pediatric PD registry data. The workgroup prioritized updating key clinical issues contained in the 2012 guidelines, in addition to addressing additional questions developed using the PICO format. A variety of new guideline statements, highlighted by those pertaining to antibiotic therapy of peritonitis as a result of the evolution of antibiotic susceptibilities, antibiotic stewardship and clinical registry data, as well as new clinical benchmarks, are included. Recommendations for future research designed to fill important knowledge gaps are also provided.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children receiving peritoneal dialysis: A tertiary centre long-term experience and literature review

BACKGROUND

Children with severe chronic kidney disease receiving maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD) are often malnourished and may require nutritional supplementation. Recent PD guidelines address laparoscopic and open surgical gastrostomy as safe approaches in children established on PD, while existing evidence on percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is still lacking; as well as the role of perioperative antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis. Hence, this study aimed to report our experience with PEG placement in patients on PD and compare it with the available literature.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records from patients on PD, who underwent PEG placement at a tertiary referral centre between 2000 and 2020. Data on perioperative management, complications and outcomes were retrieved. An extensive literature search was performed; studies describing PEG placement and perioperative prophylaxis in patients on PD were used as a comparison. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Seven patients (five males) were included. Perioperative antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis were standard practice. At a median follow-up of 27 months (10-75), the peritonitis rate was 0.2 patient/years. No statistical significance was found between the peritonitis rate before and after PEG placement (p = 0.2). Patients' demographics and postoperative complications were comparable to the reported studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our experience, our technique of PEG insertion with antimicrobial prophylaxis is feasible and associated with an acceptable complication risk in patients on PD. Further multicentric studies about surgical technique in patients on PD will be necessary to verify the feasibility of PEG and standardise the perioperative protocol.

Safety and Efficacy of Cinacalcet in Children Aged Under 3 Years on Maintenance Dialysis

Introduction

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) is particularly severe in rapidly growing infants in dialysis. Although cinacalcet is effective and licensed in dialysis in children aged >3 years, its efficacy and safety for children aged <3 years is unknown.

Methods

We identified 26 children aged <3 years who were on dialysis and treated with cinacalcet between 2009 and 2021 in 8 European pediatric centers.

Results

Median (interquartile range) age at the start of cinacalcet was 18 (interquartile range: 11-27) months, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) was 792 (411-1397) pg/ml, corresponding to 11.6 (5.9-19.8) times the upper limit of normal (ULN). Serum calcium was 2.56 (2.43-2.75) mmol/l, and serum phosphate 1.47 (1.16-1.71) mmol/l. Serum 25-OH vitamin D (25-OHD) was 70 (60-89) nmol/l, 3 children were vitamin D deficient (<50 nmol/l). The initial cinacalcet dose was 0.4 (0.2-0.8) mg/kg/d and the maximum dose was 1.1 (0.6-1.2) mg/kg/d. The median follow-up under cinacalcet was 1.2 (0.7-2.0) years. PTH decreased to 4.3 (2.2-7.8) times the ULN after 6 months, to 2.0 (1.0-5.3) times ULN after 12 months, and to 1.6 (0.5-3.4) times thereafter (P = 0.017/0.003/<0.0001, log-transformed PTH). Seven of the 26 infants developed 10 hypocalcemic episodes <2.10 mmol/l. Oral calcium intake was 84% (66%-117%) of recommended nutrient intake at start, 100% (64%-142%) at 3 months and declined to 78% (65%-102%) at 12 months of therapy. Three children developed clinical signs of precocious puberty.

Conclusion

Cinacalcet efficiently controlled severe sHPT in children aged <3 years and was associated with hypocalcemic episodes (similar to what is observed in older children) and precious puberty, thereby mandating meticulous control of calcium (considering nutrition, supplementation, and dialysate) and endocrine changes.

The Management of Dietary Fiber Intake in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease - Clinical Practice Recommendations From the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce

The benefits of dietary fiber are widely accepted. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of children fail to meet the recommended intake of dietary fiber. Achieving adequate fiber intake is especially challenging in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An international team of pediatric renal dietitians and pediatric nephrologists from the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) has developed clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) for the dietary intake of fiber in children and adolescents with CKD. In this CPR paper, we propose a definition of fiber, provide advice on the requirements and assessment of fiber intake, and offer practical guidance on optimizing dietary fiber intake in children with CKD. In addition, given the paucity of available evidence and to achieve consensus from international experts, a Delphi survey was performed in which all the clinical practice recommendations were reviewed.

Clearance and nutrition in neonatal continuous kidney replacement therapy using the Carpediem™ system

BACKGROUND

Infants with kidney failure (KF) demonstrate poor growth partly due to obligate fluid and protein restrictions. Delivery of liberalized nutrition on continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) is impacted by clinical instability, technical dialysis challenges, solute clearance, and nitrogen balance. We analyzed delivered nutrition and growth in infants receiving CKRT with the Cardio-Renal, Pediatric Dialysis Emergency Machine (Carpediem™).

METHODS

Single-center observational study of infants receiving CKRT with the Carpediem™ between June 1 and December 31, 2021. We collected prospective circuit characteristics, delivered nutrition, anthropometric measurements, and illness severity Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-II. As a surrogate to normalized protein catabolic rate in maintenance hemodialysis, we calculated normalized protein nitrogen appearance (nPNA) using the Randerson II continuous dialysis model. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficient, Mann Whitney, Wilcoxon signed rank, receiver operating characteristic curves, and Kruskal-Wallis analysis were performed using SAS version 9.4.

RESULTS

Eight infants received 31.9 (22.0, 49.7) days of CKRT using mostly (90%) regional citrate anticoagulation. Delivered nutritional volume, protein, total calories, enteral calories, nPNA, and nitrogen balance increased on CKRT. Using parenteral nutrition, 90 ml/kg/day should meet caloric and protein needs. Following initial weight loss of likely fluid overload, exploratory sensitivity analysis suggests weight gain occurred after 14 days of CKRT. Despite adequate nutritional delivery, goal weight (z-score = 0) and growth velocity were not achieved until 6 months after CKRT start. Most (5 infants, 62.5%) survived and transitioned to peritoneal dialysis (PD).

CONCLUSIONS

Carpediem™ is a safe and efficacious bridge to PD in neonatal KF. Growth velocity of infants on CKRT appears delayed despite delivery of adequate calories and protein.

Optimizing Nutrition in Neonates with Kidney Dysfunction

The nutritional management of neonates with kidney disease is complex. There may be significant differences in nutritional needs based on the duration and cause of kidney dysfunction, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, the treatment modality, including acute (continuous renal replacement therapy and peritoneal dialysis [PD]) and chronic (intermittent hemodialysis and PD) approaches may differentially affect nutritional losses and dietary needs. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology of compromised nutrition in neonates with AKI and CKD. We also summarize the existing data and consensus recommendations on the provision of nutrition to neonates with AKI and CKD. We highlight the paucity of data on micronutrient losses and the need for future prospective studies to enhance nutritional supplementation to hopefully improve outcomes in these patients.

Diagnosis and management of mineral and bone disorders in infants with CKD: clinical practice points from the ESPN CKD-MBD and Dialysis working groups and the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce

BACKGROUND

Infants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) form a vulnerable population who are highly prone to mineral and bone disorders (MBD) including biochemical abnormalities, growth retardation, bone deformities, and fractures. We present a position paper on the diagnosis and management of CKD-MBD in infants based on available evidence and the opinion of experts from the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN) CKD-MBD and Dialysis working groups and the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce.

METHODS

PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes) questions were generated, and relevant literature searches performed covering a population of infants below 2 years of age with CKD stages 2-5 or on dialysis. Clinical practice points (CPPs) were developed and leveled using the American Academy of Pediatrics grading matrix. A Delphi consensus approach was followed.

RESULTS

We present 34 CPPs for diagnosis and management of CKD-MBD in infants, including dietary control of calcium and phosphate, and medications to prevent and treat CKD-MBD (native and active vitamin D, calcium supplementation, phosphate binders).

CONCLUSION

As there are few high-quality studies in this field, the strength of most statements is weak to moderate, and may need to be adapted to individual patient needs by the treating physician. Research recommendations to study key outcome measures in this unique population are suggested. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.