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Incremental hemodialysis in pediatric patients
Gurevich Evgenia1,2,3, Falush Yafa1, Alfandari Hadas1,4
1Institute of Nephrology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, 14 Kaplan St, 4920235, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Insights
Incremental hemodialysis is a viable option for pediatric patients, potentially improving quality of life. This approach may reduce dialysis burden without negatively impacting clinical outcomes in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Renal Replacement Therapy
Background:
- Incremental hemodialysis adjusts dialysis dose based on residual kidney function.
- Limited data exists on incremental hemodialysis specifically in pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients initiating incremental hemodialysis versus conventional thrice-weekly hemodialysis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of children starting hemodialysis between January 2015 and July 2020.
- Comparison of patient characteristics and outcomes between incremental and thrice-weekly hemodialysis groups.
Main Results:
- Incremental hemodialysis group had more males, congenital anomalies, higher urine output, and less left ventricular hypertrophy at baseline and follow-up.
- Fewer patients on incremental hemodialysis had left ventricular hypertrophy and low urine output at last follow-up.
- No significant differences in metabolic or growth parameters were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Incremental hemodialysis is a feasible option for selected pediatric patients.
- This approach may enhance quality of life and decrease dialysis burden.
- Clinical outcomes are not compromised when initiating incremental hemodialysis in children.
Background:
Incremental hemodialysis follows the concept of adjusting dialysis dose according to residual kidney function. Data on incremental hemodialysis in pediatric patients is lacking.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of children initiating hemodialysis between January 2015 and July 2020 in a single tertiary center, comparing the characteristics and outcomes of those who commenced with incremental hemodialysis vs with conventional thrice-weekly regimen.
Results:
Data on forty patients, 15 (37.5%) on incremental hemodialysis and 25 (63%) on thrice-weekly hemodialysis were analyzed. No differences in age, estimated glomerular filtration rate and metabolic parameters were noted between groups at baseline, but there were more males (73 vs 40%, p = 0.04), more patients with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (60 vs 20%, p = 0.01), higher urine output (2.5 ± 1 vs 1 ± 0.8 ml/kg/h, p < 0.001), lower use of antihypertensive medications (20 vs 72%, p = 0.002) and lower prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (6.7 vs 32%, p = 0.003) in the incremental hemodialysis group vs thrice-weekly hemodialysis. During follow up, 5 (33%) incremental hemodialysis patients were transplanted, 1 (7%) remained on incremental hemodialysis at 24 months, and 9 (60%) transitioned to thrice-weekly hemodialysis at a median (IQR) time of 8.7 (4.2, 11.8) months. At last follow up, fewer patients who initiated incremental hemodialysis had left ventricular hypertrophy (0 vs 32%, p = 0.016) and urine output < 100 ml/24 h (20 vs 60%, p = 0.02) compared to thrice-weekly hemodialysis, with no significant differences in metabolic or growth parameters.
Conclusion:
Incremental hemodialysis is a viable option for initiating dialysis in selected pediatric patients, that may help improve patients' quality of life and reduce dialysis burden without compromising clinical outcome.
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