Kidney size in Children of Post-Weaning age: Does Nutrition have an Effect?

Introduction: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of nutrition on kidney size and to determine the correlation between renal parameters and different anthropometric parameters. Methods: This hospital-based descriptive observational study has been done in a tertiary care centre of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Fifty malnourished children & 50 healthy children (Controls) within the age group of six months to five years were included in the study. Anthropometric parameters (e.g. weight, height, mid-arm circumference, skinfold thickness etc.) were measured manually and bilateral kidney sizes were measured by ultrasound. Results: Malnourished children had significantly lower weight, mid arm circumference, skinfold thickness, body mass index and body surface area [p < 0.001], but the difference in height / length was not significant (p = 0.074). The length, width, depth and volume of both left and right kidneys and relative renal volume were significantly lower in the malnourished children (p < 0.001). But, the same significance has not been found with kidney width, thickness or volume. Conclusions: Malnutrition adversely affects kidney growth in children of post-weaning age.