Dietary Intakes and Biochemical Status of B Vitamins in a Group of Children Receiving Dialysis

Objective

We investigated the dietary intake and biochemical status of B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12) in a group of mainly unsupplemented children with endstage renal disease receiving dialysis, to determine if B vitamin supplementation is indicated.

Design

This was a cross-sectional, observational clinical trial.

Setting

Children with endstage renal disease were receiving dialysis, under the care of Renal Services, at Starship Children's Health (Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand).

Patients

We studied 12 children (including 7 girls, and 8 children receiving peritoneal dialysis) mean age 7.8 ± 5.3 years (SD).

Intervention

Three-day diet records were collected and analyzed with FoodWorks software. Blood was collected for vitamin assay testing.

Main Outcome Measure

Dietary intake of B vitamins was measured as a percentage of recommended dietary intake (RDI) or adequate intakes (AIs) for age. Biochemical status was measured as the concentration of each B vitamin compared with reference ranges.

Results

Mean intakes from diet alone comprised <100% of the RDI or AI for each B vitamin. Mean intakes, with nutritional support, reached >100% of the RDI or AI for each B vitamin. All children achieved >100% RDI or AI for thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. Two children who were not receiving nutritional support received <100% of the RDI for vitamin B6. Blood levels of B vitamins were normal to high, compared with reference ranges, for each B vitamin in all children, indicating adequate status.

Conclusions

Intakes were adequate in the majority of children. Status was adequate in all children. In this group of children undergoing dialysis, B-vitamin supplementation was not indicated.