Nutrition and Renal Failure

The kidneys are responsible for many functions in the body. They help control the body's fluid and electrolyte (mineral) balance and also help the body remove waste products (products that the body cannot use). When the kidneys are not functioning properly, these waste products can build up in the body and make your child feel sick. This can cause your child to have a poor appetite, which can contribute to poor growth and development. The goal of the diet for children with renal failure is to encourage adequate intake to promote growth, while controlling intake of protein, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and fluid, as needed. The amount of dietary restriction is individualized for each child depending on his/her age, degree of renal failure, type of treatment (dialysis vs. predialysis), medications, and laboratory values.

Listed in the directory below is some additional information regarding nutrition and renal failure, for which we have provided a brief overview.

If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Genitourinary and Kidney Disorders Online Resources page in this Web site for an Internet/World Wide Web address that may contain additional information on that topic.