Current practice of peritoneal dialysis in children: results of a longitudinal survey. Mid European Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Study Group (MEPPS).

Since 1993, the Mid European Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Study Group (MEPPS) has been accumulating epidemiological data regarding the practice of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in children. More than 200 children have been evaluated to date. While treatment modalities were evenly distributed in 1993, automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) has emerged as the preferred mode of therapy during the last few years. Technique survival was 95% at 2 years, but decreased to 65% after 4 years of treatment, the main reasons for treatment failure being recurrent peritonitis, ultrafiltration failure, or both. Most centers use double-cuff curled Tenckhoff catheters with an upward pointing exit site. The first catheter was still functioning in 82% of patients after 1 year, and in 57% of patients after 4 years of treatment. While the overall peritonitis incidence between 1993 and 1997 was 1 episode per 17 months, it was much higher in children below 6 years of age. Empirical PD prescription resulted in a mean total weekly creatinine clearance of 57 L/1.73 m2/week in both continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and APD patients, while average total weekly Kt/V urea was higher in APD-treated (2.45) than in CAPD-treated children (1.96). Antihypertensive treatment was required in 40%-50% of patients; oral phosphate binders in 75%-80%; bicarbonate substitution in 30%; potassium binders in 7%-14%; and NaCl supplementation in 9%-21% of patients. While growth retardation had a prevalence of 57%, body mass relative to height was in the normal range. After one year of dialysis, 20% of patients received growth hormone treatment. In conclusion, peritoneal dialysis in children, preferably performed as APD, achieves technique survival rates similar to those reported for adults. Young children are at increased risk for peritonitis. The current empirical PD prescription is of limited efficacy in terms of small-solute and fluid removal.