BACKGROUND: the purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of children and teenagers with chronic renal (CRF) failure using anthropometric measurements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 41 children and adolescents with (CRF) (creatinine "clearance" < 50 ml/min/1,73m2) followed at the Pediatric Nephrology Unit (HC-UNICAMP), between January 1995 and November 1996, were evaluated by the assessment of anthropometric measurements, mid upper arm circunference (MUAC) and triceps skinfold (TSF). With these measurements, mid arm fat area (MUAFA) and arm muscle area (AMA) were calculated and its z-scores. These measurements were performed twice at least, ranging from 0.21 to 1.3 years (0.88 ± 0.04). RESULTS: all the z-scores (MUAC, TSF, MUAFA and AMA) were very low, and only the AMA z-score was statistically significant (p= 0,03 Wilcoxon test). The patients were divided in to groups, according to their treatment, and the MAC z-score for the renal transplantation group was statistically significant (p= 0,02 Wilcoxon test). CONCLUSIONS: these data demonstrate a compromised nutritional status from both muscle and fat stores, with an improvement in muscle stores.
Chronic renal failure; Nutritional evaluation; Anthropometry
