Effect of Peritoneal Dialysis on Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been used occasionally in extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants with acute kidney injury (AKI). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of ELBW infants with AKI treated with PD.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of ELBW infants with AKI, who underwent PD from January 2008 to February 2018, were reviewed. A PD catheter (7.5–9.0 Fr) or central venous catheter (4 Fr) was used for the peritoneal access. Treatment with PD solutions (2.5 or 4.25%) was started at 10 mL/kg, which was increased to 20–30 mL/kg for 60–120 min/cycle continuing for 24 hours.Results: Twelve ELBW infants (seven male and five female infants) were treated, and their mean gestational age and birth weight were 27.2 (±3.3) weeks and 706.5 (±220.5) g, respectively. There were two patients who had severe perinatal asphyxia (5-min Apgar score ≤3). The most important indication for starting PD was AKI due to sepsis. The average duration of PD was 9.4 (±7.7) days. The potassium levels in the ELBW infants with hyperkalemia decreased from 6.8 to 5.0 mg/mL after 9.3 (±4.4) days. The most common complication of PD was mechanical dysfunction of the catheters, such as dialysate leakage (75%). Two patients were successful weaned off PD. The mortality rate of the infants treated with PD was 91.7%.Conclusions: The mortality rate of ELBW infants with AKI treated with PD is quite high because their organ system is not completely developed. Therefore, the use of PD should be carefully considered for the treatment of ELBW infants with AKI.