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5/6th Nephrectomy in Combination with High Salt Diet and Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition to Induce Chronic Kidney Disease in the Lewis Rat
Published on: July 3, 2013
Management of the neonate with chronic renal failure
1Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London, UK. Reesl@gosh.nhs.uk
Insights
Infant chronic dialysis is rare, mainly for urinary tract issues, with improving survival rates despite challenges. Long-term outcomes are good for healthy infants needing dialysis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Neonatal Urology
Background:
- Chronic dialysis in infants is uncommon but presents unique management challenges.
- The majority of infants requiring dialysis have structural urinary tract abnormalities.
- Over 50% of these cases are diagnosed before birth (antenatally).
Observation:
- Infant dialysis patient numbers have remained stable over the past decade.
- Mortality rates, while high, show a trend of improvement.
- Comorbidities significantly increase mortality risk in this population.
Findings:
- Dialysis management involves ethical considerations and frequent complications.
- Most infants on chronic dialysis require enteral feeding.
- Long-term prognosis for infants without comorbidities is comparable to older children.
Implications:
- Care requires significant family and medical team commitment.
- Improved management strategies may further reduce infant mortality.
- Understanding long-term outcomes is crucial for patient and family support.
Abstract:
The number of infants requiring chronic dialysis is small and has remained stable over the last decade. The majority have structural abnormalities of the urinary tract and over 50% are diagnosed antenatally. Mortality rate is high, particularly in infants with comorbidity, but has been improving. Management presents many challenges: as well as ethical issues, complications of dialysis are common and most infants need enteral feeding. Commitment from the family and medical team is crucial for success. However, the long-term outcome for otherwise healthy infants is comparable to that of older children.
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