Background: We aimed to assess the outcome and growth of infants with severe chronic renal failure (CRF). One hundred and one children presented between January 1, 1986, and December 12, 1998, with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of <20 mL/min/1.73 m2. The median (range) age at presentation was 0.3 (0 to 1.5) years, and follow-up was 7.6 (1.5 to 13) years. One- and five-year survival rates were 87 and 78%, respectively. The growth of the 81 children who survived over two years was evaluated. Eighty-one percent were enterally fed from age 0.7 (0 to 4.5) years for 1.9 (0.1 to 6.8) years. Forty-six percent had a gastrostomy, and 22% a Nissen fundoplication. Twenty-five were managed conservatively. Twenty were transplanted without dialysis at age 4 (1.7 to 8.5) years, and 36 were dialyzed at age 1.1 (0 to 9.8) before transplantation at age 2. 4 (1.3 to 10) years.
Results: The mean (SD) height standard deviation score increased from -2.16 (1.34) at 6 months (N = 63) to -1.97 (1.37) at 1 year (N = 75), -1.79 (1.29) at 2 years (N = 75), -1.33 (1.29) at 3 years (N = 68, P = 0.0006), -1.27 (1.04) at 5 years (N = 47, P = 0.0001), and -0.85 (0.82) at 10 years (N = 18, P = 0.001). The body mass index was in the normal range in the majority of patients.
Conclusion: Mortality in infants with CRF occurs mainly in the first year of life. With early enteral feeding, the mean height standard deviation score is within the normal range from one year of age.