A longitudinal study of the peritoneal transport capacity in paedriatríc peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

The paedriatric patient treated with peritoneal dialysis must be periodically controlled in order to evaluate the adequacy of dialysis. Objective: To evaluate the change in the dialysis parameters in uraemic paedriatric patients under chronic peritoneal dialysis. 24 patients attending the Nephrology Unit in the Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital, University of Chile, who entered the chronic peritoneal dialysis programme between January 1995 and October 1999 were enrolled. Peritoneal and residual dialysis dose (KTIV) were measured at 3, 6 and 12 months after starting dialysis as well as the peritoneal equilíbrium test. Growth was measured using the Z point height/age at the beginning of dialysis and after 12 months. Results: Average Kt/V peritoneal and residual dose was 1.77 (SD 1.05) and 1.04 (SD 0.64) at the beginning and 2.34 (SD 0.89) and 0.35 (SD 0.37) at 12 months respectively. The change in Kt/V residual being significant (p < 0.05). The peritoneal equilibrium test for glucose and creatinine at 4 hours was 0.72 (SD 0. 16) and 0.31 (SD 0. 12) at the beginning, and at 12 months 0.73 (SD 0.20) and 0.40 (SD 0. 19) (p = NS). Growth expressed as the Z point changed from -1.86 (SD 1.06) to -2.05 (SD 0.90) at 12 months. In patients who were dialyzed before the age of 12 months the initial Z point in comparison to 1 year later was -2.5 and -1.65 respectively. Conclusions: The results show the stability of the peritoneal membrane during the study period, a progressive loss of stature during treatment and a positive growth in the group starting dialysis before the age of 12 months.