LA ENFERMEDAD RENAL CRÓNICA EN LOS NIÑOS Y SU CALIDAD DE VIDA; UN RETO PARA LOS TRABAJADORES DE SALUD

Objective: to identify the quality of life of children from 8 to 18 years old, diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, in a health institution in the city of Bogotá. Materials and Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a study population of 62 children diagnosed with chronic kidney disease who attended the pediatric nephrology clinic using the KIDSCREEN 27 instrument. Results: five dimensions were analyzed, where each had a weighted score greater than 70, which is related to a good quality of life; the dimension with the lowest score, that of physical activity, had a score of 70.1, followed by that of social support and friends. Conclusions: chronic kidney disease can alter the quality of life, however in the study group the quality of life was not altered but its score in physical activity and social support and friends evidences the need to improve these aspects; it should be borne in mind that the fact that children do not feel sick can also generate risk for their adherence to treatment. Programs need to be designed to monitor and support children and adolescents, but these must be novel and attractive. It is essential that health personnel prepare to be able to respond to the demands of children with chronic diseases in order to contribute to ensuring that they and their families have a good quality of life.