Introduction:
Optimal nutrition promotes growth and better clinical outcomes in pediatric CKD. Significant gaps exist in availability of regional dietary resources. The Indian Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRiNT) is a pan-Indian group of 20 pediatric nephrologists and dietitians who have addressed this deficiency.
Methods:
Comprehensive list of recipes commonly consumed by Indian children was collated in 4 categories - breakfast, main meals, snacks and sweets. The selection is representative of all regional recipes across India. Portion size for children was determined as appropriate for a 5- year-old child. Nutrient content was calculated using DietCal software and IFCT 2017 was used wherever feasible. Foods were categorized by nutrient content per portion using PRNT guides - High K>117 mg, moderate K 39-117 mg, and low K< 39 mg and for P-high P additives, high natural P≥100 mg per portion, and low natural P<100mg.
Results and Discussion:
Four Indian regional guides for K (common pan-Indian, Western, Northern and South India) have been published till date with over 275 regional recipes, including 105 breakfast choices, 152 lunch and dinner options, 69 snacks, and 91 desserts. Most recipes have high/moderate K because of naturally high K content in raw Indian food. Caution is needed while prescribing these foods for children with hyperkalaemia. We recommend replacing high K foods with low or moderate K food or reducing the portion size of high K recipes. Food preparations using less green leafy vegetables, fruits, pulses and milk had less K compared to other foods. The phosphate content of Indian recipes were equally distributed between high and low P categories.
Conclusion:
Indian guides for K and P are useful for dietitians and physicians prescribing diet for children with advanced CKD and or on dialysis. The food guides give a wide range of recipes to choose from for all the meals in a day without compromising on total caloric or protein intake.
I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.
I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.