It is still unknown whether the correction of renal anemia with rHu epo may improve growth and nutricional status in uremic children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the treatment of anemia and changes on nutritional status. We treated 23 patients with rHu epo (mean age 11.69 y, range 10 m-19.2 y). Mean dosage of rHu epo was 73.8 U/Kg/week. As a mean, target haemoglobin was achieved in 180.9 days. All patients underwent dialysis during treatment. Nutritional status was evaluated by weight/age and height/age and weight/height (in Z score); fat area and muscular area were expressed as% of 50th Percentile. The biochemical profile included Hb, serum albumine and lymphocytes count. Mean time of follow up was 10.96 m (r 6m-16m). Results obtained at the begining (B) and end (F) of studies are shown in the table:

Table 1
Full size table

There were statistically changes in Hb (B mean: 6.37 ± 0.92 vs. F mean: 10.65 g± 1.94 (p<0.001) and lymphocytes count (B mean: 2315/mm3 ± 1537 vs. F mean: 3250/mm3 ± 1700, p<0.05).Conclusions: despite the increase in Hb level no effect on nutritional status was observed; it is necessary to intensify the nutritional support in order to minimize the severe impairment of growth in children with ERSD.