Impact of Residual Renal Function on Dialysis Adequacy in Paediatric CAPD Patients

This study was designed to determine the impact of residual renal function (RRF) on dialysis adequacy indices and clinical outcome parameters in paediatric CAPD patients. Seventeen children on CAPD were included. Residual renal function was described by residual diuresis (UO: urine output), residual renal solute clearances RR.KT/V (residual renal KT/V), RR.Ccr (residual renal creatinine clearance) and GFR (glomerular filtration rate)]. Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analysis were used in statistical analysis. Mean W.KT/V (weekly KT/V) vas 1.97±0.6 and mean T.Ccr (total Ccr) was 56±32 L/week/1.73 m². Both of these indices were found to be strongly correlated with RRF (GFR, UO, RR.KT/V and RR.Ccr) (p<0.001), but not with peritoneal solute clearances. W.KT/V was found to be influenced essentially by RR.KT/V (p<0.001) and also dialysate fill volume (DV) (p<0.01). T.Ccr was influenced primarily by RR.Ccr (p<0.001) and serum cr levels (p<0.05). In addition significant positive correlations were detected between serum albumin, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Htc) levels and residual diuresis (p<0.05) and a significant negative correlation was found between mean blood pressure and residual diuresis (p<0.05). It was concluded that the mean values of W.KT/V and T.Ccr were heavily influenced by RRF. Almost all variations in W.KT/V and T.Ccr represented changes in RRF. In addition, anaemia, hypertension and hypoalbuminaemia, which are known as clinical criteria of inadequate dialysis, were found to be influenced by residual diuresis. Thus one of the goals of paediatric nephrologists must be the preservation of renal reserve. Since the rate of decline in RRF was significantly lower in CAPD, it should be the first choice of long-term maintenance dialytic therapy for children who have residual renal reserve.