Medical Nutrition Therapy in Renal Replacement Therapy

Abstract

This chapter discusses Medical Nutrition Therapy in three modalities of renal replacement therapy (RRT), outlining the nutrient requirements for patients on maintenance hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplant in acute and chronic phases. The chapter takes note of the drastic impact of RRT on the patient’s nutrition status and overall well-being, which puts them at high risk of morbidity and mortality, and thus emphasizes timely and regular comprehensive nutrition assessment to enable appropriate intervention. Recognizing that there are different modalities of RRT and that patients have different physiological characteristics as well as different laboratory test values, which may also vary for individual patients each time tests are run, nutrition therapy is individualized each time. The chapter takes a closer look at protein-energy wasting, a condition common among patients undergoing RRT, which is a predictor of mortality, discussing its prevention and treatment measures. Finally, the chapter takes a closer look at electrolytes, specifically potassium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorous, in relation to mineral bone disease.