Nutrition for the post–renal transplant recipients (original) (raw)

An adequate nutritional status may improve outcomes after renal transplantation. This review article presents the impact of major nutritional risk factors, such as malnutrition, obesity, dislipidemia, and other associated or independent metabolic complications on the results of renal transplantation. Malnutrition that exists prior to transplant may be associated with an increased risk of infection, delayed wound healing, and muscle weakness. Obesity, which may also be preexisting or developing after transplantation, can lead to adverse effects, such as poor wound healing or increased risk of cardiovascular disease, although some recent studies suggest no major consequences. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertrigliceridemia (risk factors for cardiovascular disease) are common post-renal transplantation complications. All of these possible complications may be prevented or treated through early nutritional intervention and follow-up. This article reviews important nutritional recommendations to provide guidelines for adult posttransplant recipients. N UTRITIONAL STATUS is an important determinant of clinical outcome in patients with chronic renal disease. Malnutrition, altered protein and lipid metabolism, and obesity are associated with a variety of factors related to renal function and forms of renal replacement therapy. Changes in body composition after renal transplantation are due to increased appetite and reversal of the uremic state, as well as to the immunosuppressive treatment, in particular immediately after surgery. 1 Therefore, two clearly distinct phases regarding nutritional changes are the early and late posttransplant phases. The aim of this article was to present the available information concerning the nutritional impact of renal transplantation and to suggest guidelines for nutritional management.