Knowledge of Nutrition Care for Children on Peritoneal Dialysis at National Hospital of Pediatrics, Vietnam

Background: Nutrition is critically important for chronic kidney diseases, especially for children on CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis). Nutrition not only plays the role of medication but also can control most abnormal metabolism disorders and preserve the residual renal functions. However, most patients’ families just focus on peritoneal dialysis while ignoring nutrition for the patients. Objective: Survey the knowledge of nutrition care for children with CAPD prescription. Method: Cross-sectional study on the nutritional status of 31 children undergoing CAPD. Interview and assess knowledge on kidney diseases with peritoneal dialysis, knowledge on nutrition care and nutrition practice of 31 mothers with children undergoing CAPD via a designed questionnaire. Result: The ratio of malnutrition of children on CAPD was 37.8%. Knowledge on caregiving and hygiene for CAPD was good with 74.4% mothers knowing about complications of peritonitis, 64.4% was aware of peritoneal catheter exit-site infection. However knowledge on nutrition was limited, only 25.8% mothers having knowledge on nutrition for the children. 9.7% mothers could meet the requirement in nutrition practice. Recommendation: It is necessary to enhance nutrition communication and counselling to achieve the expected treatment outcomes.