EFFICACY OF THERAPEUTIC NUTRITION IN MANAGEMENT OF HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS DURING SARS COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). It mainly
affects lungs but it can also affect multiple organs such as kidney, heart, digestive system, nervous
system, etc.
Infection has been reported in all ages and all vulnerable group.
All vulnerable groups and patients with co-morbidities like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and
cardiovascular disease are susceptible to covid-19 infection.
Covid-19 infection presents a special threat to patients on dialysis. Patients on haemodialysis has
lymphopenia, lower serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, and milder clinical disease than other
covid-19 patients. Patients with uremia are particularly vulnerable to infection and may exhibit greater
variation in clinical symptoms.
Kidney involvement seems to be frequent in this infection and it is an independent predictor of
mortality. Management of patients on dialysis who have been suspected to have been in contact with
COVID-19 should be carried out according to nutritional management is important. Patients on
haemodialysis and with covid-19 should provide adequate amount of antioxidants with high protein
diet and limited fluids to prevent from covid-19 and maintenance of haemodialysis.