Outcome of tunnelled central venous catheters used for haemodialysis in children weighing less than 15 kg

Purpose

Central venous catheters (CVC) are frequently used for haemodialysis (HD) in children. However, there is paucity of information on the outcomes of CVCs when used for HD in very young patients. Our objective is to report the success, safety and complication rates of CVCs used for HD in children weighing less than 15 kg.

Materials and methods

This is a single-center retrospective study of all patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) weighing < 15kg, who underwent a tunneled CVC placement for HD, between July 2006 and June 2012 at our institution. Analysed data included clinical background, age and weight at initiation of HD, outcome of HD, CVC vein insertion site, reason for removal, and catheter survival (in days).

Results

Thirty-one CVC were placed in 11 patients weighing < 15 kg, 8 males and 3 females. The main causes of ESRD were renal dysplasia and congenital nephrotic syndrome. At the beginning of HD, mean age was 27.5 (range 5–60) months and mean weight was 10.4 kg (4.5–13 kg). The preferred insertion site was the right internal jugular vein (90%). Mean duration of HD was 312 days. Mechanical factors were the main reason for catheter removal (39%). Mean catheter survival was 110 days/catheter.

Conclusions

We believe our study provides relevant information and encouraging data to support the use of CVC for HD in this cohort of infants; however, further improvement in prevention of catheter thrombosis and management of infections needs to be achieved.