[Dialysis treatment of infants with end stage failure]

Abstract

Background: End stage renal failure in infants is rare, and was until recently regarded as untreatable. Advancements in dialysis techniques and other renal replacement therapy, have now made lifesaving treatment possible.

Material and methods: Three infants who developed end stage renal failure shortly after birth and were subsequently treated with long-term dialysis (as a bridge to transplantation) are presented and their results are compared with those from other dialysis centres.

Results and interpretation: All three patients were successfully dialysed until transplantation, two with peritoneal dialysis and one with haemodialysis. Complications were rare and manageable. The results are in accordance with findings from previous studies. Long-term dialysis in infants with chronic renal failure should no longer be considered experimental and is now a real alternative until the child is big enough to have a transplantation. Treatment outcome is affected by co-morbidity. The treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach with specialists from many fields including paediatrics, paediatric surgery, nephrology, nutrition and dialysis. In addition it is essential to cooperate with the parents, as the treatment is demanding for the family as well as for the medical personnel.