title: The role of nutrition in chronic renal insufficiency of childhood: how much do we know?
abstract: Dietary protein restriction in the treatment of symptomatic renal failure has been utilized for many years, especially as a means for reduction of 'fixed acid" load. Studies in animal models of renal failure suggest that low protein intake may retard the progression of renal disease as well. However, large, well-organized investigations into this question in humans have fallen prey to difficulties that are almost impossible to overcome. Chief among these difficulties is the problem of chronically reducing protein intake in patients with a lifelong intake far above the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Another is the fact that all previous studies have been performed in patients with moderate to severe compromise of renal function. Thus, the potential efficacy of reduced protein intake in the retardation of the progression of renal disease remains an open question. In this article, we discuss the current state of knowledge and propose an approach to answering this question.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. ksroth@creighton.edu
authors.forename: Karl S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: J C M
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins