The study was designed as a cross-sectional analysis of anthropometric values and selected indices of growth status amongst children receiving dialysis in Poland between the years 2004 and 2013. Data were acquired during two different multicentre studies on hypertension in dialyzed children in Poland. Basic anthropometric parameters (body weight, body height/length, body mass index – BMI), dialysis adequacy and duration of RRT were assessed.
The study showed that anthropometric parameters of children undergoing renal replacement therapy had not significantly changed in the last 10 years of observation. Children on RRT were still of short stature despite availability of modern methods of hormonal therapy and nutrition. Median of height z-score was −2.10 in 2004 and −2.19 in 2013. Expected clinical improvement in these measures was not proven.
The cause of chronic kidney disease, method of dialysis, time on dialysis or dialysis adequacy did not influence the anthropometric parameters significantly in dialyzed children in Poland.