Background: We analyzed the impact of birth parameters and parental height on long-term growth outcome in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3-5.
Methods: Linear growth was prospectively investigated in 509 children, with a mean follow-up of 4.1 years. Growth outcome was categorized in (i) poor growth (PG): height standard deviation score (SDS) during follow-up < -2.0 and/or actual or previous growth hormone (GH) treatment, and (ii) good growth (GG): height SDS ≥ -2.0 and no need for GH. A multivariate binary logistic regression model was constructed for predictors of PG outcome.
Results: PG was observed in 55 % of patients. The rate of pre-term and small for gestational age birth was significantly higher in children with PG compared to GG (43.2 vs. 25.6 % and 36.8 vs. 18.9 %; p < 0.001). Children with PG had significantly lower average values for gestational age, birth weight, length, and head circumference, umbilical cord pH, Apgar scores, and parental height than children with GG. Birth length, umbilical cord pH, and parental height were significant independent predictors of PG outcome (sensitivity 72.8 %, specificity 69.3 %).
Conclusions: Birth parameters and parental height are independent predictors of growth outcome in children with CKD.