Quality of Life of Children with Chronic Kidney Disease
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Chronic Kidney Disease has a major impact on a pediatric patient’s development. Harmful effects include nutritional changes deriving from a restrictive diet, in addition to systemic manifestations, deficient growth, osseous deformities and chronic anemia. In addition to biological effects, there are psychological and social issues arising from chronic diseases, such as impaired self-image and academic difficulties.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze scientific production on the quality of life of children with chronic kidney disease.
METHOD: Integrative literature review carried out on SciELO, MEDLINE, PubMed databases and the BVS portal, from June to August 2015, using the following controlled descriptors: quality of life, children and chronic kidney disease. Eighteen articles were analyzed based on the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS: Therapeutic modality has a positive influence on the quality of life of children with chronic kidney disease, with patients undergoing hemodialysis being those with the worst scores. Diet restrictions, especially liquid restriction, presence of comorbidities such as anemia, heart disease, short stature and osseous deformities contribute to the negative assessment of patients and caregivers. Poor academic performance is a concern for both children and parents of patients with chronic kidney disease. The presence of family and the participation of the latter in the treatment have a positive influence on these patients’ perception about quality of life.
CONCLUSION: Children with chronic kidney disease have been presenting low quality of life when compared to the group without chronic disease. Further studies need to be conducted within varied cultural contexts in order to compare results and develop coping strategies with the aim of improving the quality of life of children with chronic kidney disease.
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