Effect of Ice Popsicles on Thirst, Xerostomia and Interdialytic Weight Gain for Children Undergoing Hemodialysis

Background: Thirst and xerostomia are the most frustrating and commonly observed manifestations in children undergoing hemodialysis which can lead to significant excessive interdialytic weight gain. Aim : The study aimed to evaluate the effect of ice popsicles on thirst, xerostomia and interdialytic weight gain for children undergoing hemodialysis. Subjects and Method: A quasi-experimental research design was used to conduct the current study. A convenient sample of fifty-two children had an end-stage renal disease; undergoing hemodialysis for at least six months was participated from the pediatric hemodialysis unit at Minia University Children’s Hospital. Four data collection tools were utilized: Bio-demographic characteristics of the studied children, Dialysis thirst inventory questionnaire, xerostomia inventory questionnaire and interdialytic weight gain assessment record. Results: Most of children had thirst and xerostomia before sucking ice popsicles decreased to less than one quarter in the first week and the minority at 4th week after sucking ice popsicles with statistically significant difference. On the other hand, the mean score of interdialytic weight gain decreased from 1.89±0.63 before sucking ice popsicles to 1.28±0.49 after 4th week of sucking ice popsicles with highly statistically significant difference at P.value≤0.001. Conclusion: Ice popsicles intervention had a positive effect on reduction of thirst and xerostomia and significantly decreases interdialytic weight gain for children undergoing hemodialysis. Recommendations: The application of ice popsicles intervention should be endorsed as a part of the routine care for managing thirst and xerostomia for hemodialysis children.