CONTINUOUS ENTERAL FEEDING IN PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY - LONG-TERM RESULTS IN CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL NEPHROTIC SYNDROME, SEVERE CYSTINOSIS AND RENAL-FAILURE
Continuous enteral feeding in congenital nephrotic syndrome (3 cases), cystinosis (3 cases) and renal failure (3 cases) was studied. Ages of patients at the beginning of treatment ranged from 10 days to 3 yr. Enteral nutrition was given for periods ranging from 4-37 mo.; mean energetic intake was 116% of the levels recommended according to developmental age. Protein diets were 138, 115 and 84% of the recommended amounts in nephrotic syndromes, cystinosis and renal failure, respectively. Most patients survived on this treatment. In congenital nephrotic syndromes, growth improved clearly with acceleration of the curve and restoration of plasma albumin level. In cystinosis, a better fluid and electrolyte balance was obtained and the growth curve sometimes improved greatly. In renal failure, effect on growth was favorable in 2 cases and nil in the 3rd : these findings show that normalization of energetic intakes does not induce normal growth in children with uremia.