Peritoneal dialysis in neonates: six years of single center experience

Background/aim: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is generally considered the practical dialysis modality for neonates in the treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) and metabolic disturbances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications, complications, and outcomes of PD between January 2011 and December 2016. Materials and methods: This study included all 56 neonates that underwent PD over six years in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients in our institution. Results: The incidence of PD was 1.32% (56/4230 patients) during this period. Mean birth weight of the patients was 2267.77 ± 1060.63 (540–5050) g. Thirty-four (60.7%) patients were premature. Fourteen patients (25%) were in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery due to congenital cardiac defects, fourteen patients (25%) were diagnosed with metabolic diseases, one patient had hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and another patient had severe pulmonary hypertension. Conclusion: In the acute setting of a neonatal intensive care unit, PD performed in a neonate provides a technically simple method of steady fluid, solute removal, and correction of electrolyte abnormalities. A trocar catheter appears safe even in premature babies, and closed three-way stopcock system seems to be reliable at the bedside in NICUs.