Hypermagnesaemia caused by parenteral nutrition in patients with renal failure.

Iatrogenic hypermagnesaemia may occur when magnesium is infused in the presence of compromized renal function. Three cases are described and the renal control of magnesium is discussed. If magnesium is considered necessary in the presence of decreased renal function, reduction in dosage and frequent monitoring of serum magnesium levels should be undertaken.     

Enteral nutrition in patients with acute renal failure

BACKGROUND: Systematic studies on safety and efficacy of enteral nutrition in patients with acute renal failure (ARF) are lacking. METHODS: We studied enteral nutrition-related complications and adequacy of nutrient administration during 2525 days of artificial nutrition in 247 consecutive patients fed exclusively by the enteral route: 65 had normal renal function, 68 had ARF not requiring renal replacement therapy, and 114 required renal replacement therapy. RESULTS: No difference was found in gastrointestinal or mechanical complications between ARF patients and patients with normal renal function, except for high gastric residual volumes, which occurred in 3.1% of patients with normal renal function, 7.3% of patients with ARF not requiring renal replacement therapy, 13.2% of patients with ARF on renal replacement therapy (P= 0.02 for trend), and for nasogastric tube obstruction: 0.0%, 5.9%, 14%, respectively (P < 0.001). Gastrointestinal complications were the most frequent cause of suboptimal delivery; the ratio of administered to prescribed daily volume was well above 90% in all the three groups. Definitive withdrawal of enteral nutrition due to complications was documented in 6.1%, 13.2%. and 14.9% of patients, respectively (P= 0.09 for trend). At regimen, mean delivered nonprotein calories were 19.8 kcal/kg (SD 4.6), 22.6 kcal/kg (8.4), 23.4 kcal/kg (6.5); protein intake was 0.92 g/kg (0.21), 0.87 g/kg (0.25), and 0.92 g/kg (0.21), the latter value being below that currently recommended for ARF patients on renal replacement therapy. Median fluid intake with enteral nutrition was 1440 mL (range 720 to 1960), 1200 (720 to 2400), and 960 (360 to 1920). CONCLUSION: Enteral nutrition is a safe and effective nutritional technique to deliver artificial nutrition in ARF patients. Parenteral amino acid supplementation may be required, especially in patients with ARF needing renal replacement therapy.     

Relationship between thyroid hormones and nutrition in chronic renal failure

A cross-sectional study was performed in 19 patients on haemodialysis and in 11 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in order to investigate the relationship between thyroid hormones and nutritional status. T4, T3 resin uptake, T3, rT3 and TSH were measured by radio-immunoassay and compared with controls. Nutritional status was assessed by measurements of blood proteins, albumin, gamma-globulin, transferrin, arm muscle circumference and triceps skinfold thickness. In haemodialysis, T4, FTI, T3 and rT3 were significantly decreased. TSH was normal. In CAPD, thyroid hormones were normal. In both groups, proteins, albumin, gamma-globulin and transferrin were normal. Triceps skinfold thickness was normal in males and females, whereas arm muscle area was dramatically reduced in males and normal in females. In haemodialysis, a negative correlation was found between T3 and proteins (p less than 0.01), rT3 versus proteins (p less than 0.01) and versus gamma-globulin (p less than 0.01). In CAPD, a positive correlation was found between T3 and triceps skinfold thickness (p less than 0.05). We suggest that the overload of carbohydrate might normalize the thyroid hormones in patients on CAPD. The relationship between thyroid hormones and nutritional status in patients treated by dialysis suggests a putative protective effect of low T3 levels against protein breakdown.     

Progressive renal failure due to renal invasion and parenchymal destruction by adult T-cell lymphoma

A 43-year-old patient of occult adult T-cell lymphoma (ATL) presenting with systemic illness and progressive renal failure due to lymphomatous infiltration of kidneys is described. The striking feature observed was destructive infiltration of the kidneys, by malignant CD4 cells, virtually replacing the normal renal architecture. The diagnosis of lymphoma was made by renal biopsy. Clinical features typical of ATL were hypercalcemia, lytic bone lesions, and profound wasting and inanition. The patient died rapidly despite attempted therapy. The case illustrates the potential of ATL for direct renal parenchymal destruction.     

Long-term enteral nutrition in infants and young children with chronic renal failure

An inadequate nutritional intake is common in infants and young children with chronic and end-stage renal failure (CRF/ESRF), causing poor weight gain and growth retardation. In a programme of enteral feeding (EF), growth, nutritional intake and outcome for oral feeding were evaluated in 35 children with CRF/ESRF, mean (range) age 1.6 (0–4.9) years at start of EF for 30 (12–60) months. Twenty-nine had a glomerular filtration rate of 12.1 (6–26) ml/min per 1.73 m² and 6 were on peritoneal dialysis. Mean (SD) weight standard deviation scores (SDSs) in the 0 to 2-year age group (n=26) were –3.3 (1.0) 6 months before EF, –3.1 (1.3) at the start, –1.7 (1.4) at 1 year, (P=0.0003) and –1.4 (1.8) at 2 years, (P=0.0008). Height SDSs were –2.9 (0.7), –2.9 (1.2), –2.2 (1.2) (P=0.008) and –2.1 (1.3) (P=0.004). Weight SDSs in the 2 to 5-year age group (n=9) were –2.3 (1.2), –2.0 (1.1), –1.1 (1.3) (P=0.002) and –0.9 (1.0) (P=0.04). Height SDSs were –2.8 (0.6), –2.3 (0.7), –2.0 (0.7) and –2.0 (0.8). There was no change in energy intake as a percentage of the estimated average requirement, nor was this exceeded. Percentage energy from the EF in the 0 to 2 year age group remained unchanged despite an absolute increase in energy intake with age. Twenty-one have had renal transplants, of whom 86% eat and drink normally. Long-term EF prevents or reverses weight loss and growth retardation in children with CRF/ESRF, with the achievement of significant catch-up growth if started before age 2 years. Received: 27 July 1998 / Revised: 19 November 1998 / Accepted: 20 November 1998     

Progressive glomerular sclerosis and renal failure in rat with 7/8 nephrectomy model

A model of progressive glomerular sclerosis and chronic renal failure was established in 7/8 nephrectomized rats. Three fourths of left kidney of six-week old Sprague Dawley rats were ligated and removed. One week later right kidney was removed. As controls 3/4 nephrectomized rats operated the same manner as 7/8 nephrectomized rats and sham operated rats were used. Remarkable excretion of the protein into the urine and rise in blood pressure were noted in all 7/8 nephrectomized rats. Eight weeks after 7/8 nephrectomy, serum creatinine rose as high as 2.8 +/- 0.3 mg/dl and BUN 260 +/- 65 mg/dl. In contrast, only minor degree of elevation of blood pressure, excretion of protein into the urine and elevation of serum creatinine were noted in 3/4 nephrectomized rats. Morphologically deposition of rat IgG, C3, fibrinogen and albumin were observed mainly on the capillary wall in 7/8 nephrectomized rats. Minor amount of deposition was observed in 3/4 nephrectomized rats. By light microscopy there were remarkable glomerular and tubular lesions in 7/8 nephrectomized rats. Most of the glomeruli showed hypertrophy, 40% of the glomeruli had cellular or fibrocellular crescent, 34% of glomeruli failed into global sclerosis or hyalinosis, tubular atrophy or enlargement and hyaline cast in the lumen and interstitial fibrosis were also noted. By electron microscopy detachment of epithelial and endothelial cells from the GBM, increase in the mesangial matrix, obliteration of the capillary lumen by fibrin, hyaline material were observed. Only minor degree of increase in mesangial matrix and epithelial degenerative lesions were observed and 3% of glomeruli were sclerosed in 3/4 nephrectomized rats. From these results 7/8 nephrectomized rats can serve as useful model for studying the mechanism of glomerular sclerosis or hyalinosis and effect of various drugs on glomerulonephritis.     

Scope of practice in renal nutrition.

Clinical standards for practice in renal nutrition can vary dramatically from region to region, state to state, and clinic to clinic, and are greatly affected by the policies of several governing bodies. This review explores the factors that influence practice patterns among renal dietitians and examines the current American Dietetic Association's Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework for its applicability to kidney disease. Lastly, this article discusses current strategies for establishing a scope of practice in renal nutrition and evaluates licensure and credentialing issues that impact standards for practice across the various regions of the United States.