Nutritional requirements in chronic renal failure and end stage renal disease at the Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Since August, 1984 renal replacement therapy with haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplant has been carried out regularly at the renal unit of the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Various nutritional disturbances have been met. Nausea, vomiting and anorexia have been noticed frequently particularly in those on intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD). The same problems were experienced in those few patients who were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The patients were usually malnourished, the malnutrition being of protein-calorie type. At the start of the programme of renal replacement therapy in 1984, the problems of poor nutrition were worse but are currently improving. At the moment our patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis are scattered all over the medical and paediatric wards at KNH. This has impeded the smooth surveillance of patients' diets by the few available nutritionists. The review of our performance from 1984-1988 on the nutritional status of patients with CRF and ESRD is an attempt to create a normal dietary cover for patients with the above problems.