Plasma ghrelin levels in children with chronic renal failure on peritoneal dialysis

¤ Objectives: Malnutrition and loss of appetite represent a serious problem in children with chronic renal failure. Ghrelin is a newly described hormone involved in control of growth hormone secretion, stimulation of food intake, and regulation of energy balance. ¤ Methods: Plasma ghrelin levels were compared between 12 children on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and 9 children on conservative treatment of chronic renal fail-ure. Eight healthy children matched for age and body mass index (BMI) served as a control group. ¤ Results: Plasma ghrelin levels were similar in children on APD (698.3 ± 59.7 pg/mL) and children on conservative treatment (675.4 ± 41.9 pg/mL) compared to healthy con-trols (700.1 ± 24.7 pg/mL). There was no difference in plasma ghrelin levels in children with chronic renal failur