Chronic Renal Failure The kidneys play a vital role in ensuring that urine is excreted in the right concentration. This means that a well functioning kidney will excrete excessive water and waste products while it will retain salts and other compounds that the body needs. Children with chronic kidney (renal) disease can be divided into three groups, depending on the renal function they do have: Chronic renal insufficiency - renal function less than 50% Chronic renal failure - renal function less than 25% End-stage renal disease - renal function less than 5% (patients in dialysis)

Roughly 6 children out of a million of the total population suffer from chronic renal disease.  Approximately a third of children with chronic renal disease have abnormal growth partly because renal diseases disturb the metabolism of growth hormone (GH). The corticosteroid hormones which are often used to treat the kidney disease may also retard growth.

The age that the renal disease starts has more impact on growth retardation than the reduction in renal function (i.e. the younger the child when the disease starts, the more retarded is his or her growth).

For further information talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

Last updated: October 2011
SUEC/HGH016