Acute renal failure is a fearsome condition, as it arises rapidly. It can be classified according to cause into pre-renal, intrinsic renal, or post-renal. Pre-renal IRA is due to renal hypoperfusion and is often identified with Acute Tubular Necrosis, intrinsic IRA is related to intrinsic kidney disease, and post-renal IRA is related to obstructive factors of the excretory tract. Differential diagnosis is certainly important, as nutritional treatment should also be treated according to the diagnosis.
Nutritional therapy
Nutritional intervention aims to rebalance the patient’s catabolic imbalance and energy needs. Through Urea Nitrogen Appearance, which calculates urinary urea excretion, three levels of hypercatabolism are distinguished:
- Mild hypercatabolism
- Moderate hypercatabolism
- Severe hypercatabolism
As for feeding, it should be introduced with caution, in fact in the first 48 hours it is not started because it may have a harmful effect. It starts with an intake of about 50% of what is estimated, gradually increasing over the next few days.
Source: Handbook of Dietetics and Nutrition by Franco Contaldo et al.
