Growth and development of nondialyzed children with chronic renal failure.

Thirty-four children with severe kidney disease, either congenital (32 cases) or developing at birth, were followed until age 5 to 19 years. Overall growth retardation corresponded to -2.5 SD below the mean normal values. The retardation occurred almost exclusively before therapy for it was started. Fifteen children were first treated during infancy. In all of them except one, growth was dramatically improved following the first visit to our center, growth changing from slowed to normal rate, although catch-up growth was rare: the average change from normal mean height was -1.68 SD (or -5 SD per year) calculated for the infantile period up to the first visit to our clinic, followed by a change of +0.18 SD per year between first presentation and age 12 months, and +0.01 SD per year between first presentation and last observation at a mean age of 8.3 years. In the 19 patients who were treated after the first year of life, the mean change of height from birth to first presentation was -0.33 SD per year followed by a mean change of -0.04 SD per year up to the last observation (mean period, 7.3 years). Catch-up growth was exceptional. Five children entered puberty with a normal growth spurt. When GFR deteriorated, growth velocity was unchanged. Height calculated for corresponding bone maturity was reduced in half of the patients when first seen, but progressed to the same degree as height during follow-up, except in one patient. Mental development was normal in 31 of 34 patients. Conclusion. Normal growth rate and normal development is possible in children and even in infants with CRF chronic renal failure. The importance of instituting early conservative treatment to prevent height loss must be emphasized.