ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of intensive diet education on the knowledge and serum phosphorus levels of pediatric peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and their parents. DESIGN: Interventional study using a pre-post design and convenience sample. SETTING: The study was performed in a pediatric PD clinic. PATIENTS: Sixteen patients ranging in age from 9 to 21 years and their parents. INTERVENTION: Patients routinely receive a review of laboratory results and a review of foods to limit. For the study, two additional education sessions were conducted. The additional phosphorus education to participants included a computer-based jeopardy game, handouts, education magnets and a hands-on learning activity. A 20 question before-and-after knowledge test was administered to the patients and parents separately. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in serum phosphorus levels and the difference in pre and post knowledge test scores for both patients and parents. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in parent (p=0.003) and patient knowledge (p<0.001). There was a decrease in serum phosphorus from 2.3+/-0.68mmol/L to 2.16+/-0.58mmol/L (7.13+/-2.1mg/dL to 6.68+/-1.8mg/dL), but this change was not statistically significant (p=0.256). CONCLUSION: Intensive education regarding phosphorus led to improved patient and family knowledge in pediatric PD patients. Although increased knowledge did not result in a significant decrease in serum phosphorus, there was a slight decrease indicating some clinical relevance. Therefore, pediatric PD patients may benefit from intensive on-going diet education sessions.
