[Acute peritoneal dialysis in low birth weight infants]

Between September 1986 and April 1988, five low birth weight infants weighing 950 gm to 2250 gm required acute peritoneal dialysis due to acute anuric renal failure. Severe hyaline membrane disease was the most common explanation for acute renal failure. All infants had severe electrolytes imbalance and fluid retention with generalized edema, which increased ventilation requirements and severely limited fluid intake. The volume of each exchange varied between 10-20 ml/kg. Four of five infants had good ultrafiltration (3.52 +/- 2.43 ml/kg/hr, mean +/- SD). Ultrafiltration was not achieved in one due to poor peripheral perfusion. Electrolytes imbalance were corrected in all patients. Although four infants died, one case given up further care after renal failure had improved, and one died of septic shock after renal function had recovered. Only one infant survived with complete recovery of renal function. We believe that early dialysis is likely to reduce both morbidity and mortality of acute renal failure in low birth weight infants.