Single-Center Experience on Growth in Infants Born With End-Stage Kidney Disease

Children with chronic kidney disease display poor growth that impacts health outcomes; data on infants with severe congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are limited. We examined growth patterns in infants with CAKUT requiring dialysis in the first 30 days. This study evaluated infants with severe CAKUT from 2014 to 2018 surviving past 30 days. Somatic growth parameters as per standard infant curves and nutritional information were recorded. Twenty four infants met inclusion criteria. Seventeen infants received dialysis, demonstrating somatic growth disruption most profound at a 1-2 months postnatal age. Growth trends were improved compared to infants with CAKUT who did not require dialysis. Linear growth failed to normalize by 1 year of age. Infants with severe CAKUT are at high risk for early growth failure. Understanding of this deficit and impacts of early dialysis on growth and long-term outcomes are needed to identify targeted nutritional strategies.