Neurodevelopmental outcome of children initiating peritoneal dialysis in early infancy

A retrospective review of 34 infants who started long-term peritoneal dialysis at ≤3 months of age was conducted. Six of the patients died during infancy, leaving 28 infants who survived >1 year and who underwent a formal neurodevelopmental evaluation. In addition to dialysis, treatment of the patients included the use of calcium carbonate as the sole phosphate binder in all patients and supplemental nasogastric tube feeding in 27. At 1 year of age, the 28 patients had a mean head circumference standard deviation score of –0.96±1.2. The mental developmental score of 22 (79%) patients fell in the average range, while only 1 (4%) child was significantly delayed. Of 19 children retested at ≥4 years of age, 15 (79%) performed in the average range and 1 (5%) performed in the impaired range. Of 16 patients ≥5 years of age, 15 (94%) attended school full time and in age-appropriate classrooms. Twenty-four patients received their initial kidney transplant at a mean age of 2.1±0.8 years. This experience provides evidence that the combination of aggressive nutrition, the elimination of aluminum as a phosphate binder, the provision of dialysis, and subsequent transplantation all contribute to a favorable developmental outcome in infants who develop end-stage renal disease in early infancy. Received: 3 March 1998 / Revised: 10 November 1998 / Accepted: 10 November 1998     

Risk factors for early peritoneal dialysis catheter failure in children

Background

There is uncertainty regarding the optimal approach for surgical placement of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters in children. Operative technique, catheter selection, and patient variables (eg, age or prior surgical history) may influence catheter lifespan.

Methods

A retrospective review of all PD catheters placed at a tertiary children's medical center during a 6-year period was performed. Our primary outcome was catheter function 2 months after placement. Data were analyzed using Student 2-tailed t test or χ² analysis.

Results

There were 121 PD catheters placed in 81 patients. The median primary functional catheter lifetime was 109 days. Primary PD catheter failure (within 2 months) occurred in 36 catheters (30%). Patients with primary catheter failure (8 ± 7 years) were younger than patients with a functioning catheter at 2 months (12 ± 5 years; P = .002). Catheters placed without simultaneous omentectomy were more likely to fail (P = .042). Catheter failure rate was not significantly different based upon operative technique or catheter type.

Conclusion

Omentectomy at the time of catheter placement decreased the risk of early catheter failure. In contrast, type of catheter or laparoscopic placement did not influence the likelihood of early catheter failure.     

Icodextrin re-absorption varies with age in children on automated peritoneal dialysis

Information on the use of Icodextrin in children remains scarce; however, it is believed that the characteristics are similar across all ages. We report the use of Icodextrin in a cohort of pediatric automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) patients younger than those previously reported (n =8, median age of 2.8, range 0.02–17.1 years). Net Icodextrin daytime dwell ultrafiltration was calculated in each patient for every day on therapy as ml/h/m². Half of the patients showed re-absorption even when reducing Icodextrin dwells from a median of 10 to 6 h. All four patients who re-absorbed the Icodextrin (ranging from –23.7±7.5 to –2.5±6.0 ml/h/m²) were treated with cyclic nocturnal APD, and three of these four patients were high transporters on the peritoneal equilibration test (PET). Icodextrin fluid removal correlated significantly with age (Spearman rank r =0.8571, P =0.0107). The data suggest that Icodextrin behaves differently in young children.There was no source of funding and no conflict of interest     

Continuous peritoneal dialysis in children: a single-centre experience in a developing country

Continuous peritoneal dialysis (CPD) is the most commonly used modality of dialysis in children. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has been an established form of therapy in adult patients with end-stage renal failure in India for more than a decade. There is a paucity of published experience of CPD in children from developing countries. We retrospectively studied children with end-stage renal failure (ESRD) that had been on CAPD over the past 10 years. Thirty patients with ESRD, mean age 13±8 years (range 5–21 years), male 18, were started on CAPD from 1994 to October 2004. The mean break-in period was 12±3 days. Of these 30 patients, 15 had a total of 21 episodes of peritonitis. The peritonitis rate was 0.58 episodes per patient year. E. coli was the commonest organism causing peritonitis. On outcome analysis, 7/30 (23.3%) patients received a renal transplant, while 11/30 (36.6%) continued on CAPD, awaiting a kidney transplant. Of the rest, eight (26.6%) patients died, two (6.7%) suffered technique failure and were changed to haemodialysis, and two (6.7%) were lost to follow-up after 2 months. The mean cumulative survival time of patient on CPD was 42 months. We conclude that CPD is a viable option for dialysis in ESRD children in a developing country and is a successful bridge between ESRD and renal transplantation     

自动化腹膜透析机在初置管腹膜透析患者过渡期运用探讨

目的 探讨自动化腹膜透析在初置管腹膜透析患者过渡期的运用及对患者远期腹膜炎发生率的影响.方法 将在本腹膜透析中心进行腹膜透析置管的患者随机分为间歇性腹膜透析组(IPD组)和自动化腹膜透析组(APD组),均从置管日即开始渐进式的腹膜透析7d,分别记录其出血压、血肌酐、尿素氮、血钙、血磷、血钾、超滤量、尿量等指标及他们的培训时间、伤口愈合情况;同时随访半年,对比两组患者的腹膜炎发生情况,并分析腹膜炎的相关危险因素.结果 治疗前两组患者在主要临床及生化指标方面均无显著差异.过渡治疗一周后IPD组患者血压下降值、电解质下降值、尿量减少情况均较APD组患者显著,差异有显著的统计学意义(P ＜0.05或＜0.01);术后IPD组有7例患者出现伤口渗漏,APD组有1例,两组比较有统计学差异(P =0.032).APD组患者平均每天的学习和培训时间(3.45±1.34h/d)亦显著高于IPD组患者(2.34±0.78h/d),P=0.022.随访半年后两组在主要临床及生化指标方面无显著差异,但随访期间APD组患者腹膜炎发生率(3/44)显著低于IPD组(13/44)(P＜0.05).进一步Logistic回归分析显示年龄是腹膜炎发生的危险因素,培训时间是腹膜炎发生的保护性因素.结论 在初置管患者过渡期使用APD方式治疗能够有效清除患者体内毒素,保持患者水电解质平衡,并且增加患者住院期间的透析培训时间,减少远期腹膜炎的发生率,有其明显优越性,值得推广运用.     

Long-term peritoneal dialysis and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis in children

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is the most serious complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD), with a mortality rate that exceeds 30%. There have been many reports of the incidence of EPS being strongly correlated to the duration of PD. Patients on PD for longer than 5 years, and especially those receiving this treatment for more than 8 years, should undergo careful and repeated surveillance for risk factors associated with the development of EPS. The development of ultrafiltration failure, a high dialysate/plasma creatinine ratio, as determined by the peritoneal equilibration test, peritoneal calcification, a persistently elevated C-reactive protein level, and severe peritonitis in patients on PD for longer than 8 years are signals that should prompt the clinician to consider terminating PD as a possible means of preventing the development of EPS. The impact of the newer, biocompatible PD solutions on the incidence of EPS has not yet been determined.     

A ten-year single-centre experience in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis--significance of percutaneous placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters.

BACKGROUND: Chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) in children is an important modality of renal replacement therapy. The ideal method for inserting CPD catheters remains still controversial. Minimal invasive techniques are becoming more popular. This study was performed in order to evaluate the efficiency, the complication profile and the survey of percutaneously placed CPD catheters in children, retrospectively. METHODS: This study was carried out on 108 peritoneal catheters implanted in 93 patients (45 girls, 48 boys), aged 8.0+/-4.2 years (range: 3 months to 16 years) during the period between December 1995 and November 2005. In the study group, 32 children were transplanted, 15 were transferred to haemodialysis and 18 patients died. All catheters implanted by percutaneous route were Tenckhoff swan-neck double-cuff paediatric catheters. Placement procedure was performed in our unit by us. Statistical analysis was made by chi-square and Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS: During 2670 CPD months we observed a total of 108 catheter-related complications: 82 catheter infections including exit-site and/or tunnel infection (1/32.5 patient-months), 10 dislocations, six drainage problems and six kinks. The incidence of all complications was one complication every 24.72 dialysis months. Overall, the incidence of peritonitis was one episode per 18.1 patient-months. Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus aureus were the two most common causes of infections. Fifteen catheters were removed due to catheter-related causes: drainage problems (six patients), catheter dislocation (three patients), omental capture (two patients) kink (two patients) and tunnel infection (two patients). The catheter survival rate was 92.4% at 1 year, 83% at 2 years and 63% at 10 years; patient survival in the 93 children was 91% at 1 year, 84% at 2 years and 48% at 10 years. Younger patients were at increased risk of exit-site and tunnel infections (P<0.05) but the difference in catheter survival time between the age groups was not significant (P>0.05). In complications, no statistical difference was observed between early and delayed catheter use groups (P>0.05). We compared the two periods (period 1, December 1995 to November 2000; period 2, December 2000 to November 2005), for complications of CPD. The risk of catheter migration was greater in period 1 than in period 2 (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous technique performed by experienced nephrologists is a reliable, safe and cost-effective method for placement of PD catheters. In our opinion, the skill for CPD catheter placement must be part of the paediatric nephrologist training.     

Measurement of peritoneal dialysis delivery in children

We measured urea [weekly urea clearance/total body water (KT/V_urea)] and creatinine (C _Cr) clearances on 35 occasions in 15 stable chronic peritoneal dialysis patients to determine the feasibility and reproducibility of such measurements in children. In addition, we performed peritoneal equilibration tests (PETs) to characterize our patients' peritoneal membranes and to estimate weekly clearances. We demonstrated that dialysis delivery can be quantified by these standard measurements in children of widely varying size. Further, we found that clearances predicted from PET data were similar to measured values in all patients. However, predicted and measured values were most significantly correlated in patients with high and high-average peritoneal membrane permeability. KT/V_urea andC _Cr were correlated overall, but differences in scaling affected the validity of the relationship. When both clearances were scaled to weight, the correlation was closer, but still differed between PET-determined peritoneal membrane types.     

Clinical experience with two physiologic bicarbonate/lactate peritoneal dialysis solutions in automated peritoneal dialysis

Clinical experience with two physiologic bicarbonate/lactate peritoneal dialysis solutions in automated peritoneal dialysis. BACKGROUND: Patients on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) usually receive larger volumes of dialysis solution and more frequent, shorter exchanges than patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and therefore are likely to derive greater benefit from more physiologic solutions. METHODS: Peritoneal dialysis solutions containing 25 mmol/L bicarbonate and either 10 or 15 mmol/L lactate were compared with standard lactate solutions (35 or 40 mmol/L) in two prospective, open-label studies of patients on APD. Each study included a 2-week baseline period (lactate solution), a 6-week treatment period (bicarbonate/lactate solution), and a 2-week follow-up period (same lactate solution as baseline). Biochemical analyses and assessments of vital signs and safety parameters were conducted at baseline, every 2 weeks during treatment, and at the end of the follow-up period. A product use questionnaire was administered in one study at the end of treatment. RESULTS: A statistically significant rise in plasma bicarbonate (approximately 2 mmol/L) occurred when patients switched from a lactate solution to the bicarbonate/lactate solution with equimolar buffer concentration (P < 0.001 for each solution). Plasma bicarbonate decreased by 1.16 mmol/L after a switch from lactate 40 mmol/L to bicarbonate/lactate 35 mmol/L (P < 0.001). When patients switched to bicarbonate/lactate 35, the majority of individual venous plasma bicarbonate values were in the normal range. A switch from a lower calcium (1.25 mmol/ L) lactate solution to a higher calcium (1.75 mmol/L) lactate/bicarbonate solution resulted in a statistically significant rise in serum calcium (0.06 mmol/L, P < 0.018). The product use questionnaire revealed improvements in symptoms, including reduced pain on infusion. CONCLUSION: Bicarbonate/lactate solutions may be used safely and effectively in patients on APD. The availability of 2 formulations with different buffer and calcium content provides flexibility for the control of acidosis as well as calcium balance.     

Peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: analysis of an 8-year experience

Experiences with peritonitis in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) program at a single center over 8 years were reviewed. Home-acquired peritonitis rates have been less than 1 episode per patient year since 1982. Gram-positive organisms continue to account for most episodes in a similar proportion. Actual known contamination could be pinpointed in only 7.4% of cases, but was strongly suspected in 35.8% of episodes. Exit site and/or tunnel infections were thought to have caused 20% of the cases. Intrinsic peritonitis probably accounted for 10.5%. Recurrence of peritonitis with the same organisms following cessation of antibiotics represented only 2.1% of cases.     

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis catheters in children

Based on clinical experience with 35 subjects younger than 21 years of age who underwent continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) during a two-year period at our institution, this procedure was found to be superior to hemodialysis in children because it allowed great freedom of activity and produced fewer complications requiring hospitalization. Moreover, CAPD appeared to be less expensive than hemodialysis, and no mortality or significant morbidity occurred during the 386 patient-months of catheter usage. Exit site infections, peritonitis, and abdominal hernias were the most common complications, often requiring minor surgical repairs. Using a specific operative technique for catheter placement and smaller volumes of dialysate during the first week after placement, these complications were minimized. Thus, CAPD is an effective, advantageous method for treatment of end-stage renal disease in children.     

Fungal peritonitis in children on peritoneal dialysis

Fungal peritonitis is a rare but serious complication in children on peritoneal dialysis (PD). In this study, risk factors were evaluated, and therapeutic measures were reviewed. A retrospective, multi-centre study was performed in 159 Dutch paediatric PD patients, between 1980 and 2005 (3,573 months). All peritonitis episodes were reviewed. Fungal peritonitis episodes were evaluated based on possible risk factors and treatment strategy. A total of 321 episodes of peritonitis occurred, with 9 cases of fungal peritonitis (2.9%). Candida peritonitis occurred most frequently (78%). Seven patients (78%) had used antibiotics in the prior month. Fungal peritonitis patients had a higher previous bacterial peritonitis rate compared to the total study population (0.13 versus 0.09 episodes/patient*month), with twice as many gram negative organisms. In all fungal peritonitis patients, the PD catheter was removed. In four patients restart on PD was possible. Fungal peritonitis is a rare complication of PD in children, but is associated with high technique failure. The most important risk factors are a high bacterial peritonitis rate, prior use of antibiotics, and previous bacterial peritonitis with gram negative organisms. The PD catheter should be removed early, but in children, peritoneal lavage with fluconazole before removal may be useful to prevent technique failure.     

Surgical management of peritoneal dialysis catheters in children: five-year experience with 1,800 patient-month follow-up

Currently at our institution more than 90% of the children with end-stage renal disease are managed with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in preference to hemodialysis until a successful transplant is accomplished. Recent refinements in CAPD catheters and dialysis techniques have greatly added to the many medical, psychological, and economic advantages of CAPD compared with chronic hemodialysis. Ninety-three patients less than 21 years of age underwent insertion of 167 peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters over a 5-year period. A variety of PD catheters were used, including 121 (73%) double-cuff Tenckhoff catheters, 22 (13%) single-cuff, and 24 (14%) column disc catheters (Lifecaths, Physio-Control Corp, Redmond, WA). There were three (3%) noncatheter-related mortalities and minimal significant morbidity during the 1,819 patient-months of catheter use. Exit site infections (61%) and peritonitis (59%) were frequent but minor complications, occasionally requiring catheter replacement. Other noninfectious complications included abdominal hernias (42%), dialysis leaks (14%), distal cuff extrusion (11%), catheter obstruction (7%), and hydrothorax (2%). Forty-five of the 60 hernias (75%) were surgically repaired in patients while receiving CAPD. Persistent or recurrent peritonitis was common with Pseudomonas, Serratia, and fungal infections and often resulted in catheter removal and loss of the peritoneal dialysis membrane. Catheter survival for the double-cuff Tenckhoff was significantly better (P .005) than the single-cuff or Lifecath. Based on this experience we have found that using specific operative techniques for CAPD catheter placement and early surgical management for severe peritonitis reduces the incidence of complications and modality failure.     

Risks of peritoneal membrane failure in children undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis

Children undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis are at risk for membrane injury, necessitating conversion to hemodialysis. We analyzed the incidence and risk factors for membrane failure (inadequate ultrafiltration with or without peritoneal adhesions and decreased peritoneal surface area) in 68 children maintained with peritoneal dialysis for more than 3 months at our institution. The overall incidence of membrane failure was 16.2% (11/68). Kaplan-Meier estimates of peritoneal membrane survival were 88% at 24 months, 72% at 36 months, 65% at 48 months, and 52% at 60 months. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the risk of membrane failure increased with the number of episodes of peritonitis (odds ratio 1.61). The rate of peritonitis was 1 per 7.02 patient months in children who developed membrane failure compared with 1 per 9.18 patient months in children without membrane failures but the rate of peritonitis was not predictive of membrane failure (P=0.09). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that peritonitis caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa or alpha streptococcal organisms were independent predictors of membrane failure. We conclude that peritoneal membrane survival declines substantially with time on peritoneal dialysis and that membrane failure is associated with peritonitis, particularly peritonitis caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa and alpha streptococcal organisms. The mechanism(s) of membrane injury are unknown but may be related to the inflammatory response initiated during peritonitis.     

改良腹膜平衡试验在腹膜透析患者中的应用

目的 观察改良腹膜平衡试验(改良PET)在腹膜透析(腹透)患者中的应用,初 步建立改良PET转运参数的参考值,探讨其评估腹膜溶质转运特性的准确性及临床意义。方法 97例腹透患者用高渗腹透液(4．25％葡萄糖)进行改良PET,分别测定4 h透析液肌酐与血肌酐 比值(4h D／Pcr)、计算物质转运面积系数(MTAC)、1 h透析液钠与血钠比值(1h D／PNa+)及记录 净超率量(nUF)。其中有14例患者在1个月内曾行标准腹膜平衡试验(标准PET),其结果与改 良PET进行自身比较。所有患者在研究时及研究前1个月内均无腹膜炎。结果 97例腹透患 者中有90例nUF大于400 ml,这些患者的转运参数经正态分布校正后建立了改良PET的参考 值。改良PET的4 hD／Pcr为0．70±0．15,标准PET4 hD／Pcr为0．68±0．13,两者非常接近,差异 无统计学意义。两种PET对患者腹膜转运特性分型结果相似。7例nUF小于400 ml的患者中有 5例有效腹膜表面积增大;2例存在水通道介导的水转运障碍,其中1例同时存在有效腹膜表面 积增大,还有1例患者改良PET转运参数在正常范围内。结论 与标准PET相比,用高渗腹透 液进行改良PET能够准确地评估腹膜小分子溶质转运特性,此外还能提供更多更敏感的液体转 运信息,为临床诊断超滤衰竭,以及进一步鉴别其原因提供了有力的手段。     

Mupirocin application at the exit site in peritoneal dialysis patients: five years of experience

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to analyze the effects of once- or thrice-weekly mupirocin application on peritonitis, exit-site infection (ESI), and antibiotic resistance with mupirocin. Patients and methods: By 2000 mupirocin began to be applied once a week to 33 patients who previously did not use mupirocin at the exit site. By the beginning of 2002, the patients were assigned to two groups. In group I patients continued to apply mupirocin once a week. In group II patients began to apply mupirocin to the exit site three times weekly and we began to obtain cultures from the nares, inguinal area, axillae, and the exit site. Results: A total of 28 episodes of ESI and 41 episodes of peritonitis were seen in 33 patients prior to mupirocin treatment, while a total of 14 episodes of ESI and 34 episodes of peritonitis were observed in all groups of patients who used mupirocin. In a subgroup analysis, 13 episodes of peritonitis and 7 episodes of ESI were determined in group I, while 6 episodes of peritonitis and 1 episode of ESI were determined in group II. Staphylococcus aureus reproduction rate and mupirocin resistance were 2.11 and 0.2%, respectively. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus reproduction rate was 70.56% (MuR: 59.87% and MeR: 33.7%) and 72.6% (MuR: 64.7% and MeR: 33.3%) in groups I and II, respectively. Conclusion: Mupirocin application at the exit sites reduces peritonitis and ESI to a considerable amount, and thrice-weekly application of mupirocin seems to be more efficient compared to once-weekly application.     

Laparoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters in children

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is preferred over hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience with laparoscopic PD catheter placement and omentectomy in children.

Methods

We reviewed all children (N = 21) who underwent laparoscopic placement of PD catheters and omentectomy. Ages ranged from 3 months to 16 years. Five children had previous major abdominal surgery and required extensive lysis of adhesions. During the same intervention, other surgical procedures were performed using laparoscopy or open technique, including umbilical hernia repair in 3, bilateral inguinal hernia repair in 3, ventral hernia repair in 2, gastrostomy in 4, kidney biopsy in 2, and cholecystectomy in 1.

Results

Thirteen children received successful kidney transplantation and no longer needed dialysis. Two children still have functioning PD catheters. One patient developed membrane failure and was converted to hemodialysis. Four patients recovered enough renal function and no longer need dialysis. There were no complications related to the laparoscopic procedure.

Conclusion

Laparoscopy is ideal for PD catheter placement. It facilitates omentectomy, and it allows for the catheter to be placed in the proper position under direct vision and for lysis of adhesions to increase peritoneal surface. Other abdominal procedures can be performed laparoscopically at the same time.     

Prevention of peritonitis in children receiving peritoneal dialysis

Peritonitis and catheter-related (exit-site/tunnel) infections are major causes of morbidity in children receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a combination of prophylactic measures on the rate of peritonitis and catheter-related infections subsequent to their implementation in 2001. This is a single center review of incident patients who received automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) from 1997 to 2004. The causal microorganisms, annualized peritonitis and catheter-related infections rates and the time to infection were reviewed using pooled data from 1997 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2004. Fifty-four patients received PD over 1099 patient months (pm). Twenty-eight peritonitis episodes occurred in 15 patients over 599 pm from 1997 to 2000 (annualized rate (AR): 0.56 infections/patient year). Eight episodes of peritonitis occurred in five patients over 500 pm from 2001 to 2004 (AR: 0.19 infections/patient year) (P = 0.01). Prior to 2001, the median time from dialysis initiation to the first peritonitis episode was 500 days (95% CI, 400–660 days), compared to 1137 days (95% CI, 1050 to +Infinity) from 2001 to 2004 (P = 0.008). The rate of catheter-related infections and time to initial infection during the two periods was not different. We conclude that measures to decrease the frequency of peritonitis can be successfully applied to children and should be incorporated as part of standard care.     

One year's experience with recombinant erythropoietin in children undergoing continuous ambulatory or cycling peritoneal dialysis

Fourteen patients (aged 5.9–22.1 years) undergoing continuous ambulatory or cycling peritoneal dialysis were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), which was given intravenously once a week at a dosage of 300 units/kg. The mean haematocrit level increased from 18.5% to 27.5% and the reticulocyte count from 19 to 62 within 1 month. After an average time of 3.1 months rhEPO dosage could be adjusted to 100 units/kg per week to keep the haematocrit level at 30%. Only 1 patient had an exacerbation of hypertension, which required a dosage reduction; other side-effects were not noted.