[Chronic renal insufficiency in children]

Abstract

The diagnosis of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) must be evoked in children with feeding difficulties, excessive thirst, insufficient weight and/or height gain. Complications of CRI in children are hydroelectrolytic desequilibrium (chronic dehydration, sodium depletion, acidosis), nutritional difficulties, osteodystrophy, growth retardation and psychologic and scolar difficulties. Human recombinant growth hormone treatment generally allows spectacular growth improvement. In children with end-stage renal failure, operation is performed by hemodialysis or, especially in children less than 2 years of age, peritoneal dialysis. Renal transplantation is the best treatment of end-stage renal failure in children, as it offers them a practically normal life, with the only obligation of absorbing medications every day.