Protein Restriction for Children

Protein requirements for children with kidney failure

The body uses protein from foods to grow and repair cells. With kidney failure, your child will need to avoid excess protein. The kidneys may not be able to get rid of the waste products that come from eating too much protein. But it's also important for your child to get enough protein for proper growth and nutrition. Your child's weight, medical condition, type of treatment, and lab values will all help determine how much protein your child needs. Your child's healthcare provider or dietitian will help determine this, too.

What foods are high in protein?

The following foods are high in protein. If your child has kidney failure, talk with their healthcare provider about how much of these foods your child should have:

• Meat (beef, chicken, pork, and turkey)

• Fish

• Seafood (shrimp, scallops, clams, and oysters)

• Eggs

• Dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and pudding)

Helpful protein serving conversions

Your child's healthcare provider or dietitian will tell you how much protein your child can have each day. This will usually be listed in servings or grams per day.