Growth in children with renal failure.

Chronic renal insufficiency in childhood is often associated with growth delay. Undernutrition, osteodystrophy and diminished somatomedin levels appear to be importantly related to this growth delay. In many but not all children with renal failure and growth retardation, somatomedin levels are diminished, growth hormone levels are normal or elevated, and glucose tolerance is often abnormal. Following renal transplantation, growth restoration appears to be related to bone age, renal function, somatomedin and steroid therapy.