Objective:

To demonstrate the relationship between dietary acid load and growth velocity in children from 6 months to 11 years of age.

Methods:

Weight and height/length for age and growth velocity (GV) of weight and height/length were calculated. Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) was estimated by means of a consumption frequency questionnaire and the method by Remer and Manz. These parameters were evaluated in 58 patients in a first consultation when recommendations were given to reduce dietary acid load. A second evaluation was performed in a second consultation 3 to 18 months later.

Results:

PRAL decreased significantly between the two consultations (p<0.0001), which was not the case for the energy content of the diet. Fifteen of 21 patients improved or normalized their GV, while it decreased in 6 of them. The correlation between PRAL and GV was negative in all cases.

Conclusion:

Dietary PRAL decreased significantly with the nutritional intervention. GV improved or normalized in 15 of 21 patients, despite the fact that there was a decrease in the mean for GV (cm/year) for the total sample and for the girls. The correlation between CAPR and VC was negative, although only significant for GV for weight in girls.