<span>ASSOCIATION BETWEEN STUNTING WITH CALCIUM INTAKE OF PEDIATRIC NEPHROTIC SYNDROME PATIENTS</span>

Aims: To determine the association between stunting and calcium intake in children with nephrotic syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 53 pediatric patients diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome at the Department of Nephrology - Endocrinology, Children Hospital No.2, from April 25 to June 26, 2022. Stunting and height faltering were classified according to the height-for-age and sex standards of World Health Organization. Calcium intake from the diet and medications was collected through dietary logs, prescription reviews, and calculated using the Eiyokun software, based on the Vietnamese food composition table and the recommended calcium intake by the Vietnamese National Institute of Nutrition. Other data such as blood albumin levels, disease duration, and corticosteroid resistance status were collected from inpatient and outpatient treatment records. Results: The prevalences of moderate stunting and severe stunting were 20.8% and 13.2%, respectively. The rate of height faltering was 30.2%. Fulfillment of the recommended daily calcium intake was 50.1% from diet alone and 75.5% after supplementation with medications. There was a significant association between stunting and calcium intake from diet at level >50% of the requirement (OR=0.28, p=0.001). Conclusion: Stunting and height faltering were commonly observed in children with nephrotic syndrome at Children Hospital No.2. Those with calcium intake exceeding 50% of the daily requirement had a lower prevalence of stunting. It is essential to educate and counsel both the family and the children on appropriate nutrition, emphasizing the importance of adequate calcium intake from daily dietary sources.