Potential renal acid load in the diet and the growth rate of children aged 6 months to 11 years who attend the pediatric nephrology clinic of the Centro Médico Docente la Trinidad

Abstract

Objective: To investigate if there is a relationship between PRAL and  growth velocity in patients between 6 months and 11 years of age. Methods:  Weight and length/height-for-age were calculated for the patients according to the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. In each patient, the energy content of the diet was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. PRAL was estimated, according to the method by Remer and Manz. Weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, and growth velocity (GV) for weight and height were assessed at two outpatient consultations.  A nutritional intervention was made during the first visit, aiming for the reduction of the PRAL. The t-test, and Pearson Correlation were applied. Results: There was a significant reduction of PRAL between the two outpatient consultations (p<0,0001); there were no statistically significant changes in the energy content of the diet neither in weight or length/height-for-age. Fifteen out of 21 pacientes improved or maintained their GV within normal values, whilst 6 patients decreased their GV.  Median values for LV (cm/year) and WV (kg/year) showed a non significant decrease, with exception of LV for the whole group and for the girls in whom. The correlation between PRAL and GV was negative, only significant in WV for females. Conclusion: After the nutritional intervention, the PRAL decreased significantly. GV improved or was normal in 15 out of 21 pacientes, although LV (cm/year) diminished for the total group and for the girls.