PERITONEAL DIALYSIS IN INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN

Abstract

Ten infants and children ranging in age from 3 days to 34 months have been treated with peritoneal dialysis. All 10 were anuric on severely oliguric. Three had salicylate intoxication, and three had boric acid poisoning as additional complications. Three of the 10 children, including the only patient with irreversible renal disease, died. All seven who survived made complete and uncomplicated recoveries from their acute illness. One now has evidence of residual renal damage. The technique of peritoneal dialysis is described and the indications, contraindications and complications are discussed. The data presented indicate that peritoneal dialysis is an effective type of dialysis, that it is safe, that it can be accomplished with a minimum of equipment and that a highly trained team is not essential for its efficient use. It is superior to exchange transfusion in the treatment of most types of poisonings and is the only practical procedure currently available by which dialysis of an anuric infant or small child can be accomplished.