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NYU Langone

NYU Langone

Using Diet to Avoid Hypertension in Children with Glomerulonephritis

Using Diet to Avoid Hypertension in Children with Glomerulonephritis

Dietary changes in children with glomerulonephritis can help to ward off further complications, such as hypertension. Learn more.


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The chronic form of glomerulonephritis, which causes inflammation in the kidneys, can affect children and put them at increased risk of hypertension. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can worsen kidney function if not controlled and sometimes lead to irreversible kidney damage. Therefore, dietary changes are necessary for maintaining kidney function and preventing hypertension.*

If your child is diagnosed with glomerulonephritis, their doctor and care team can help them make healthy and informed meal choices that limit foods with salt and potassium, as well as protein. There are multiple reasons for these dietary adjustments, including but not limited to:  

  • Salt could lead to water retention, swelling, and high blood pressure.
  • Potassium could disturb patients’ heart rhythms, which is known as arrhythmia.
  • When kidney function is compromised, waste products from the digestion of protein, such as ammonia and urea, are inadequately removed, leading to a build-up of each in the kidneys and blood; therefore, protein intake should be limited.

Additionally, patients on corticosteroids may benefit from calcium and vitamin D supplements to offset the drugs’ side effects, such as bone weakening and growth problems. Corticosteroids are typically prescribed for a reduction in inflammation. 

Talk with your kidney care team about working with a dietitian to maintain your kidney health and prevent further complications through a customized diet.

*NYU Langone. (n.d.). Dietary Management of Glomerulonephritis in Children. NYU Langone Health. Retrieved September 7, 2021, from https://nyulangone.org/conditions/glomerulonephritis-in-children/treatments/dietary-management-of-glomerulonephritis-in-children

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