[Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration in a newborn infant with acute kidney insufficiency]

A boy of 10 days old with acute renal failure was treated with continuous arterio-venous hemofiltration and continuous arterio-venous hemodiafiltration over a period of 14 days. Hemodynamically both technics were well tolerated. Fluid overload was treated effectively by continuous fluid withdrawal and during continuous arterio-venous hemodiafiltration there was an adequate solute removal. One bleeding episode was observed during controlled general heparinization and was probably related to thrombopenia. In conclusion, continuous arterio-venous hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration are efficient modes of treatment in hemodynamically unstable infants in whom other forms of conventional dialytic therapy are contraindicated. Only continuous arterio-venous hemodiafiltration offers both fluid withdrawal and adequate solute removal and consequently may be preferred to continuous arterio-venous hemofiltration.