Dialysis modalities for the management of pediatric acute kidney injury

Factors influencing circuit lifetime in paediatric continuous kidney replacement therapies - results from the EurAKId registry

BACKGROUND

Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) has recently become the preferred kidney replacement modality for children with acute kidney injury (AKI). We hypothesise that CKRT technical parameters and treatment settings in addition to the clinical characteristics of patients may influence the circuit lifetime in children.

METHODS

The study involved children included in the EurAKId registry (NCT02960867), who underwent CKRT treatment. We analysed patient characteristics and CKRT parameters. The primary end point was mean circuit lifetime (MCL). Secondary end points were number of elective circuit changes and occurrence of dialysis-related complications.

RESULTS

The analysis was composed of 247 children who underwent 37,562 h of CKRT (median 78, IQR 37-165 h per patient). A total of 1357 circuits were utilised (3, IQR 2-6 per patient). MCL was longer in regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA), compared to heparin (HA) and no anticoagulation (NA) (42, IQR 32-58 h; 24, IQR 14-34 h; 18, IQR 12-24 h, respectively, p < 0.001). RCA was associated with longer MCL regardless of the patient's age or dialyser surface. In multivariate analysis, MCL correlated with dialyser surface area (beta = 0.14, p = 0.016), left internal jugular vein vascular access site (beta = -0.37, p = 0.027), and the use of HA (beta = -0.14, p = 0.038) or NA (beta = -0.37, p < 0.001) vs. RCA. RCA was associated with the highest ratio of elective circuit changes and the lowest incidence of complications.

CONCLUSION

Anticoagulation modality, dialyser surface, and vascular access site influence MCL. RCA should be considered when choosing first-line anticoagulation for CKRT in children. Further efforts should focus on developing guidelines and clinical practice recommendations for paediatric CKRT.

Malnutrition management in children with chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) encompasses diverse conditions such as congenital anomalies, glomerulonephritis, and hereditary nephropathies, necessitating individualized nutritional interventions. Early detection is pivotal due to the heightened risk of adverse outcomes, including compromised growth and increased healthcare costs. The nutritional assessment in pediatric CKD employs a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, considering disease-specific factors, growth metrics, and dietary habits. The prevalence of malnutrition, as identified through diverse tools and guidelines, underscores the necessity for regular and vigilant monitoring. Nutritional management strategies seek equilibrium in calorie intake, protein requirements, and electrolyte considerations. Maintaining a well-balanced nutritional intake is crucial for preventing systemic complications and preserving the remaining kidney function. The nuanced landscape of enteral nutrition, inclusive of gastrostomy placement, warrants consideration in scenarios requiring prolonged support, with an emphasis on minimizing risks for optimized outcomes. In conclusion, the ongoing challenge of managing nutrition in pediatric CKD necessitates continuous assessment and adaptation. This review underscores the significance of tailored dietary approaches, not only to foster growth and prevent complications but also to enhance the overall quality of life for children grappling with CKD.

Medication patterns and dosing guidance in pediatric patients supported with intermittent hemodialysis or continuous kidney replacement therapy

BACKGROUND

Hemodialysis is a life-saving technology used during periods of acute or chronic kidney failure to remove toxins, and maintain fluid, electrolyte and metabolic balance. While this technology plays an important role for pediatric patients with kidney dysfunction, it can alter the pharmacokinetic behavior of medications placing patients at risk for suboptimal dosing and drug toxicity. The ability to directly translate pharmacokinetic alterations into dosing recommendations has thus far been limited and dosing guidance specific to pediatric hemodialysis patients is rare. Despite differences in dialysis prescription and patient populations, intermittent (iHD) and continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) patients are often pooled together. In order to develop evidence-based dosing guidelines, it is important to first prioritize drugs for study in each modality.

METHODS

Here we aim to identify priority drugs in two hemodialysis modalities, through: 1) Identification of hospitalized, pediatric patients who received CKRT or intermittent hemodialysis (iHD) using a machine learning-based predictive model based on medications; 2) Identification of medication administration patterns in these patient cohorts; and 3) Identification of the most commonly prescribed drugs that lack published dosing guidance.

RESULTS

Notable differences were found in the pattern of medications and drug dosing guidance between iHD and CKRT patients. Antibiotics, diuretics and sedatives were more common in CKRT patients. Out of the 50 most commonly administered medications in the two modalities, only 34% and 28% had dosing guidance present for iHD and CKRT, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results add to the understanding of the differences between iHD and CKRT patient populations by identifying commonly used medications that lack dosing guidance for each hemodialysis modality, helping to pinpoint priority medications for further study. Overall, this study provides an overview of the current limitations in medication use in this at-risk population, and provides a framework for future studies by identifying commonly used medications in pediatric CKRT and iHD patients.

Acute kidney injury: the experience of a tertiary center of Pediatric Nephrology

INTRODUCTION

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an abrupt deterioration of kidney function. The incidence of pediatric AKI is increasing worldwide, both in critically and non-critically ill settings. We aimed to characterize the presentation, etiology, evolution, and outcome of AKI in pediatric patients admitted to a tertiary care center.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational single-center study of patients aged 29 days to 17 years and 365 days admitted to our Pediatric Nephrology Unit from January 2012 to December 2021, with the diagnosis of AKI. AKI severity was categorized according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. The outcomes considered were death or sequelae (proteinuria, hypertension, or changes in renal function at 3 to 6 months follow-up assessments).

RESULTS

Forty-six patients with a median age of 13.0 (3.5-15.5) years were included. About half of the patients (n = 24, 52.2%) had an identifiable risk factor for the development of AKI. Thirteen patients (28.3%) were anuric, and all of those were categorized as AKI KDIGO stage 3 (p < 0.001). Almost one quarter (n = 10, 21.7%) of patients required renal replacement therapy. Approximately 60% of patients (n = 26) had at least one sequelae, with proteinuria being the most common (n = 15, 38.5%; median (P25-75) urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio 0.30 (0.27-0.44) mg/mg), followed by reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (n = 11, 27.5%; median (P25-75) GFR 75 (62-83) mL/min/1.73 m2).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric AKI is associated with substantial morbidity, with potential for proteinuria development and renal function impairment and a relevant impact on long-term prognosis.

Impact of the first 24 h of continuous kidney replacement therapy on hemodynamics, ventilation, and analgo-sedation in critically ill children

BACKGROUND

In a group of children admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) receiving continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT), we aim to evaluate the data about their hemodynamic, ventilation and analgo-sedation profile in the first 24 h of treatment and possible associations with mortality.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of children admitted to the PICU of the University Hospital of Padova undergoing CKRT between January 2011 and March 2021. Data was collected at baseline (T0), after 1 h (T1) and 24 h (T24) of CKRT treatment. The differences in outcome measures were compared between these time points, and between survivors and non-survivors.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients received CKRT, of whom 38 (55%) died during the PICU stay. Overall, the vasoactive inotropic score and the adrenaline dose increased at T1 compared to T0 (p = 0.012 and p = 0.022, respectively). Compared to T0, at T24 patients showed an improvement in the following ventilatory parameters: Oxygenation Index (p = 0.005), Oxygenation Saturation Index (p = 0.013) PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p = 0.005), SpO2/FiO2 ratio (p = 0.002) and Mean Airway Pressure (p = 0.016). These improvements remained significant in survivors (p = 0.01, p = 0.027, p = 0.01 and p = 0.015, respectively) but not in non-survivors. No changes in analgo-sedative drugs have been described.

CONCLUSIONS

CKRT showed a significant impact on hemodynamics and ventilation in the first 24 h of treatment. We observed a significant rise in the inotropic/vasoactive support required after 1 h of treatment in the overall population, and an improvement in the ventilation parameters at 24 h only in survivors.

The prophylactic omentectomy procedure in reducing the complication rate of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in pediatric: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The role of the omentectomy procedure on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) catheter placement in pediatric patients has been differently evaluated in the literature, with some studies showing improvement while others showing no difference. Our study aims to define the advantages of omentectomy compared to a procedure without omentectomy.

METHODS

The literature searching in online databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, and ClinicalTrial.gov) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023412846). The protocol was performed through April 2023 and focused on pediatric patients treated with an omentectomy procedure and related complications. The risk of bias in each study was assessed using the risk of bias for the non-randomized control trials (ROBINS-I). The effect estimates were extracted as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The heterogeneity of the studies was considered as high heterogeneity if I2 values above 50% or p < 0.05.

RESULTS

In the total of 676 articles identified in the database searching for screening, nine studies with 775 patients met the criteria for inclusion. The omentectomy procedure significantly showed a lower incidence of catheter obstruction compared to the control group, (OR 0.24 [95% CI, 0.12-0.49], p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%). Moreover, omentectomy demonstrated a similar trend in the rate of removal or reinsertion of the catheter with high heterogeneity, OR 0.25 [95% CI, 0.12-0.51), p = 0.0002, I2 = 70%).

CONCLUSIONS

The omentectomy procedure showed a lower incidence of catheter obstruction and complications leading to removal or reinsertion of the catheter.

Anti-Clogging Effect of Continuous Hemodiafiltration With Blood Recirculation

Pediatric dialysis requires low flow from the body, but greater flow is needed to prevent clogging. As a solution, we developed a new continuous hemodiafiltration system with blood recirculation (CHDF-R), which enables separate settings for blood flow from the body and to the hemofilter. We compared CHDF-R with conventional continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) of bovine plasma and blood by monitoring the transmembrane pressure (TMP) and observing the hemofilter membrane surface. When using bovine plasma, the postdialysis TMP with CHDF-R was significantly lower than with CHDF (median CHDF, 23.7; median CHDF-R, 18.1; p = 0.029). Likewise, when using bovine blood, the postdialysis TMP was also significantly lower with CHDF-R than with CHDF (median CHDF, 150; median CHDF-R, 100; p = 0.029). Moreover, the area of clogged membrane was significantly smaller with CHDF-R than with CHDF, and the inner membrane surface showed less material deposition with CHDF-R than CHDF. CHDF-R thus appears to suppress accumulation of clogging substances by producing higher shear stress within hollow fiber membranes.

A simplified protocol of regional citrate anticoagulation with phosphate-containing solutions in infants and children treated with continuous kidney replacement therapy

BACKGROUND

Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) is the preferred modality of anticoagulation used in continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) in adults and less extensively in children. Potential metabolic complications limit widespread use in infants, neonates, and in children with liver failure.

METHODS

We report our experience with a simplified protocol in 50 critically ill children, infants, and neonates, some of them with liver failure, with commercially available solutions containing phosphorous and higher concentration of potassium and magnesium.

RESULTS

RCA allowed attainment of a mean filter lifetime of 54.5 ± 18.2 h, 42.5% of circuits lasted more than 70 h, and scheduled change was the most frequent cause of CKRT interruption. Patient Ca++ and circuit Ca++ were maintained in the target range with mean values of 1.15 ± 0.13 mmol/l and 0.38 ± 0.07 mmol/l, respectively. No session had to be stopped because of metabolic complications. The most frequent complications were hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia, and metabolic acidosis mostly related to primary disease and critical illness. No session had to be stopped because of citrate accumulation (CA). Transitory CA occurred in 6 patients and was managed without requiring RCA interruption. No patients with liver failure presented CA episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, RCA with commercially available solutions was easily applied and managed in critically ill children, even in patients with low weight or with liver failure. Solutions containing phosphate and higher concentrations of magnesium and potassium allowed reduction of metabolic derangement during CKRT. Prolonged filter life was ensured with no detrimental effects on patients and reduced staff workload. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Evaluation of the efficacy and associated complications of regional citrate anticoagulation in neonates: experience from a fourth level neonatal intensive care unit

Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) use has increased in recent years, but anticoagulation is a challenge for neonates. Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) is rarely preferred in neonates because of citrate accumulation (CA) and metabolic complications. We aimed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of RCA in neonates. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 11 neonates treated with RCA-CKRT between 2018 and 2023. The initial dose of RCA was 2.1-3 mmol/l, and then, its dose was increased according to the level of ionized calcium (iCa+2) in the circuit and patients. The total/iCa+2 ratio after-treatment > 2.5 was indicated as CA. We evaluated to citrate dose, CA, circuit lifespan, and dialysis effectivity. The median gestational age was 39 (36.4-41.5) weeks, the median body weight (BW) was 3200 (2400-4000) grams, and the mean postnatal age was 4 (2-24) days. The most common indication for CKRT was hyperammonemia (73%). All neonates had metabolic acidosis and hypocalcemia during CKRT. Other common metabolic complications were hypophosphatemia (90%), hypokalemia (81%), and hypomagnesemia (63%). High dialysate rates with a median of 5765 ml/h/1.73 m2 allowed for a rapid decrease in ammonia levels to normal. Four patients (36.3%) had CA, and seven (63.7%) did not (non-citrate accumulation, NCA). Mean BW, median postnatal age, biochemical parameters, coagulation tests, and ammonia levels were similar between the CA and NCA groups. Low pH, low HCO3, high lactate, and SNAPPE-II scores could be associated with a higher T/iCa ratio.

CONCLUSION

 RCA was an efficient and safe anticoagulation for neonates requiring CKRT. Metabolic complications may occur, but they could be managed with adequate supplementation.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) has become popular in recent years due to its successful treatment of fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis, multi-organ failure, and hyperleucinemia/hyperammonemia associated with inborn errors of metabolism. • The need for anticoagulation is the major difficulty in neonatal CKRT. In adult and pediatric patients, regional citrate anticoagulation has been shown to be effective.

WHAT IS NEW

• RCA is an effective and safe anticoagulation method for neonates who require CKRT. • Electrolyte imbalances and metabolic acidosis could be managed with adequate supplementation and appropriate treatment parameters such as citrate dose, blood flow rate, and dialysate flow rate.

CARPEDIEM® for continuous kidney replacement therapy in neonates and small infants: a French multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The Cardio-Renal Pediatric Dialysis Emergency Machine (CA.R.P.E.D.I.E.M.®) device is a continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) equipment dedicated to neonates and small infants. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness, feasibility, outcomes, and technical considerations relating to CARPEDIEM® use.

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study included 19 newborns and six infants receiving CARPEDIEM® in five French pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. Laboratory parameters were collected at the initiation and end of the first CARPEDIEM® session. Results are presented as median [IQR] (range).

RESULTS

At initiation, age was 4 days [2-13] (1-1134) with a body weight of 3.3 kg [2.5-4] (1.3-11.1). Overall, 131 sessions and 2125 h of treatment were performed. Treatment duration per patient was 42 h [24-91] (8-557). Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) was performed in 20 children. Blood flow rate was 8 mL/kg/min [6-9] (3-16). The effluent flow rate for CVVH was 74 mL/kg/h [43-99] (28-125) and net ultrafiltration (UF) 6 mL/kg/h [2-8] (1-12). In the five children treated by hemodialysis, the blood and dialysate flow rates were 6 mL/kg/min [5-7] (4-7) and 600 mL/h [300-600] (120-600), respectively, while session duration was 8 h [6-12] (2-24). Most infants required a catheter between 4.5 and 6.5 French. Hemodynamic instability with a need for volume replacement occurred in 31 sessions (23%). Thrombocytopenia was observed in 29 sessions (22%). No hemorrhage occurred; all the patients survived the sessions, but only eight patients (32%) were alive at hospital discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm that the use of CARPEDIEM® is safe and effective in critically ill neonates and infants. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of continuous renal replacement therapy performed on younger children weighing up to 10 kg

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the clinical features, modality, complications, and effecting factors on the survival of children weighing up to 10 kg who received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

METHODS

This study was a retrospective observational study conducted in five pediatric intensive care units in tertiary hospitals in Turkey between January 2015 and December 2019.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-one children who underwent CRRT were enrolled in the study. The median age was 6 (range, 2-12)months, and 74 (52.5%) were male. The median weight of the patients was 6 (range, 4-8.35) kg and 52 (36.9%) weighed less than 5 kg. The most common indication for CRRT was fluid overload in 75 (53.2%) patients, and sepsis together with multiorgan failure in 62 (44%). The overall mortality was 48.2%.

DISCUSSION

Despite its complexity, CRRT in children weighing less than 10 kg is a beneficial, lifesaving extracorporeal treatment modality.

Sustained Low Efficiency Dialysis in Critically Ill Children With Acute Kidney Injury: Single-Center Observational Cohort in a Resource-Limited Setting

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate use of sustained low efficiency dialysis (SLED) in critically ill children with acute kidney injury in a resource-limited setting.

DESIGN

Observational database cohort study (December 2016 to January 2020).

SETTING

PICU of a tertiary hospital in India.

PATIENTS

Critically ill children undergoing SLED were included in the study.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Demographic and clinical data, prescription variables, hemodynamic status, complications, kidney, and patient outcomes of all children undergoing SLED in the PICU were analyzed. A total of 33 children received 103 sessions of SLED. The median (interquartile range, IQR) age and weight of children who received SLED were 9 years (4.5-12.8 yr) and 26 kg (15.2-34 kg), respectively. The most common diagnosis was sepsis with septic shock in 17 patients, and the mean (± sd ) Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score at admission was 11.8 (±6.4). The median (IQR) number and mean (± sd ) duration of inotropes per session were 3 hours (2-4 hr) and 96 (±82) hours, respectively. Of 103 sessions, the most common indication for SLED was oligoanuria with fluid overload and the need for creating space for fluid and nutritional support in 45 sessions (44%). The mean (± sd ) duration of SLED was 6.4 (±1.3) hours with 72 of 103 sessions requiring priming. The mean (± sd ) ultrafiltration rate per session achieved was 4.6 (±3) mL/kg/hr. There was significant decrease in urea and creatinine by end of SLED compared with the start, with mean change in urea and serum creatinine being 32.36 mg/dL (95% CI, 18.53-46.18 mg/dL) ( p < 0.001) and 0.70 mg/dL (95% CI, 0.35-1.06 mg/dL) ( p < 0.001), respectively. Complications were observed in 44 of 103 sessions, most common being intradialytic hypotension (21/103) and bleeding at the catheter site (21/103). Despite complications in one third of the sessions, only nine sessions were prematurely stopped, and 23 of 33 patients receiving SLED survived.

CONCLUSION

In critically ill children, our experience with SLED is that it is feasible and provides a viable form of kidney replacement therapy in a resource-limited setting.

Acute intermittent hemodialysis management in childhood: A single center experience

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to determine the common indications of acute intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) treatment in childhood and to assess the characteristics of the procedure, complications, and prognosis.

METHODS

The study included 102 patients aged between 0 and 18 years, who had been acute dialysis indication and treated with IHD.

RESULTS

In terms of acute kidney injury (AKI) etiology, glomerular diseases were prominent in 56% of the patients, and 8.6% of surviving patients progressed to end-stage renal disease. Regarding the cause of AKI, having the glomerular disease was determined to be directly associated (p = 0.01) with the risk of progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) regardless of age, gender, onset time of renal replacement therapy.

CONCLUSION

Glomerular diseases were the most common in AKI etiology and were associated with the progression to CKD, independent of age, gender and the time of IHD onset in our study.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) is a clinical syndrome involving hemolytic anemia (with fragmented red blood cells), low levels of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia), and acute kidney injury (AKI). It is the major infectious cause of AKI in children. In severe cases, neurological complications and even death may occur. Treating STEC-HUS is challenging, as patients often already have organ injuries when they seek medical treatment. Early diagnosis is of great significance for improving prognosis and reducing mortality and sequelae. In this review, we first briefly summarize the diagnostics for STEC-HUS, including history taking, clinical manifestations, fecal and serological detection methods for STEC, and complement activation monitoring. We also summarize preventive and therapeutic strategies for STEC-HUS, such as vaccines, volume expansion, renal replacement therapy (RRT), antibiotics, plasma exchange, antibodies and inhibitors that interfere with receptor binding, and the intracellular trafficking of the Shiga toxin.

Acute kidney injury in pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation: critical appraisal and consensus

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a common therapy for the treatment of neoplastic and metabolic disorders, hematological diseases, and fatal immunological deficiencies. HCT can be subcategorized as autologous or allogeneic, with each modality being associated with their own benefits, risks, and post-transplant complications. One of the most common complications includes acute kidney injury (AKI). However, diagnosing HCT patients with AKI early on remains quite difficult. Therefore, this evidence-based guideline, compiled by the Pediatric Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (PCRRT) working group, presents the various factors that contribute to AKI and recommendations regarding optimization of therapy with minimal complications in HCT patients.

Lesión renal aguda en el paciente pediátrico: revisión integrativa

Introducción: La lesión renal aguda se ha convertido en una complicación común en los niños hospitalizados, especialmente cuando están en una situación clínica crítica. Objetivo: Conocer y sintetizar la bibliografía científica más actualizada sobre la lesión renal aguda en la población pediátrica. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo de revisión integrativa. La búsqueda de artículos se ha realizado en las bases de datos Pubmed, Scopus y Google Scholar. La estrategia de búsqueda se estableció con los siguientes términos MeSH: ”acute kidney injury”, “children” y “pediatric”. La calidad metodológica se realizó mediante la escala STROBE. Resultados: Se incluyeron 35 artículos, 19 de diseño observacional retrospectivo, 12 observacionales prospectivos, 3 revisiones bibliográficas y 1 estudio cualitativo. No hay variables sociodemográficas destacables que impliquen mayor probabilidad de presentar lesión renal aguda. Tanto la etiología como los factores de riesgo son muy variables. La lesión renal aguda se asocia a mayor número de complicaciones y estancia hospitalaria. No hay evidencia de cuidados enfermeros en la lesión renal aguda en pacientes pediátricos. Conclusiones: Se observa una falta de homogeneidad en los criterios de definición, incidencia, etiología, factores de riesgo y de tratamiento en los pacientes pediátricos con lesión renal aguda, y escasez de artículos originales de investigación. La lesión renal aguda pediátrica se asocia a mayor mortalidad, morbilidad, mayor estancia hospitalaria y mayor duración de la ventilación mecánica. El papel de enfermería en el manejo del tratamiento conservador y de las terapias de reemplazo renal de este cuadro, es fundamental en la supervivencia de estos pacientes.

Mortality Risk Factors among Infants Receiving Dialysis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVES

To identify risk factors associated with mortality for infants receiving dialysis in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted data from the Pediatrix Clinical Data Warehouse on all infants who received dialysis in the NICU from 1999 to 2018. Using a Cox proportional hazards model with robust SEs we estimated the mortality hazard ratios associated with demographics, birth details, medical complications, and treatment exposures.

RESULTS

We identified 273 infants who received dialysis. Median gestational age at birth was 35 weeks (interquartile values 33-37), median birth weight was 2570 g (2000-3084), 8% were small for gestational age, 41% white, and 72% male. Over one-half of the infants (59%) had a kidney anomaly; 71 (26%) infants died before NICU hospital discharge. Factors associated with increased risk of dying after dialysis initiation included lack of kidney anomalies, Black race, gestational age of <32 weeks, necrotizing enterocolitis, dialysis within 7 days of life, and receipt of paralytics or vasopressors (all P < .05).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of infants who received dialysis in the NICU over 2 decades, more than 70% of infants survived. The probability of death was greater among infants without a history of a kidney anomaly and those with risk factors consistent with greater severity of illness at dialysis initiation.

Patient-centered outcomes in pediatric continuous kidney replacement therapy: new morbidity and worsened functional status in survivors

BACKGROUND

Ongoing measures to improve pediatric continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) have lowered mortality rates, shifting the focus to survivor functional status. While septic acute kidney injury generates new morbidity in pediatric critically ill patients, acquired morbidities and functional status of CKRT population are unknown. We predicted that CKRT survivors are at risk for new morbidity and would have worse functional status at PICU discharge compared to baseline, and aimed to describe associated factors.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study over 24 months of CKRT patients surviving to PICU discharge in a quaternary children's hospital. Functional outcome was determined by Functional Status Scale (FSS).

RESULTS

FSS scores were higher at PICU and hospital discharge compared to baseline. Of 45 CKRT survivors, 31 (69%) had worse FSS score at PICU discharge and 51% had new morbidity (≥3 increase in FSS); majority qualified as moderate to severe disability (FSS ≥10). Four patients (9%) had new tracheostomy, 3 (7%) were ventilator dependent, and 10 (22%) were dialysis dependent. Most (23/45, 51%) required outpatient rehabilitation. Cumulative days on sedation, controlled for illness severity, were independently associated with worse FSS at PICU discharge (aOR 25.18 (3.73, 169.92)). In adjusted analyses, duration of sedation was associated with new morbidity, while neurologic comorbidity, percent fluid overload at CKRT start, and nonrenal comorbidity were associated with moderate to severe disability at PICU discharge when controlled for baseline FSS.

CONCLUSIONS

CKRT survivors, with new morbidity and worse functional outcomes at PICU discharge, are a newly described vulnerable population requiring targeted follow-up. Deliberate decrease of sedation exposure in patients with decreased clearance due to organ dysfunction needs to be studied as a modifiable risk factor.

Perspectives: Neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) in low and middle income countries (LMIC)

Neonatal AKI (NAKI) remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this perspective, we address issues of diagnosis and risk factors particular to less well-resourced regions. The conservative management pre-kidney replacement therapy (pre-KRT) is prioritized and challenges of KRT are described with improvised dialysis techniques also included. Special emphasis is placed on ethical and palliation principles.

Peritoneal dialysis in very low and extremely low birthweight infants: A pooled analysis

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) represents an important therapeutic option in neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI), although evidence regarding its effects in preterm neonates remains unclear. The present study aims to evaluate the feasibility of PD in very low birthweight (VLBW) and extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants and clarify the association of catheter choice with clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov and CENTRAL databases were systematically searched from inception to 15 January 2021. Studies reporting individual participant data of VLBW and ELBW infants treated with PD were selected.

RESULTS

Overall, 20 studies were included comprising 101 patients. Catheter-related complications were significantly more frequent among ELBW infants (odds ratio: 5.18, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.23-29.09). After inverse probability treatment weighting, compared to drainage catheters, death risk was significantly lower with the use of PD (hazard ratio: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.19-0.90) but not vascular catheters (hazard ratio: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.28-1.20). Similarly, kidney function loss was significantly lower only with the implementation of PD catheters (hazard ratio: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.21-0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

PD is a feasible kidney replacement therapy modality in VLBW and ELBW infants with AKI. The use of drainage catheters may be linked to significantly worse kidney recovery and overall survival rates, compared to PD catheters. Future cohorts should confirm the most appropriate catheter type and contribute to the standardisation of PD procedures.

Acute pediatric kidney replacement therapies in Europe: demographic results from the EurAKId Registry

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI), particularly that requiring dialysis, is a severe complication in hospitalized children associated with high morbidity and mortality. A prospective European AKI registry (EurAKId registry, NCT02960867) was created to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of pediatric patients treated with acute dialysis.

METHODS

Children were recruited who were between 0 and 18 years of age and were treated both in and outside the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with peritoneal dialysis (PD), hemodialysis (HD) or continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) for AKI or metabolic derangement, fluid overload (FO), sepsis, or respiratory distress. Five age groups and 12 categories of primary diseases were defined.

RESULTS

Data on 340 patients were analyzed, of whom 86% received dialysis for AKI and 14% for reasons other than AKI. Boys accounted for 60% of the patients. Illness severity was greater in children with cardiac and hematologic diseases than those with kidney diseases. Most patients received dialysis in the PICU (84%). The most frequently used dialysis modality was CKRT (64%), followed by PD (14%) and HD (14%). The overall survival rate was 65%. Survival was significantly lower in children with three comorbidities than in children with no comorbidities (41% and 83%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The EurAKId registry is the first prospective registry considering pediatric acute kidney replacement therapies (KRT) in both critical and non-critical care settings, focusing on the three dialysis modalities in Europe. The clinical indications for KRT have expanded; our population was characterized by critically ill patients, primarily boys, who frequently received dialysis in the PICU with CKRT.

Pediatric thiamine deficiency disorders in high-income countries between 2000 and 2020: a clinical reappraisal

Often thought to be a nutritional issue limited to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), pediatric thiamine deficiency (PTD) is perceived as being eradicated or anecdotal in high-income countries (HICs). In HICs, classic beriberi cases in breastfed infants by thiamine-deficient mothers living in disadvantaged socioeconomic conditions are thought to be rare. This study aims to assess PTD in HICs in the 21st century. Literature searches were conducted to identify case reports of PTD observed in HICs and published between 2000 and 2020. The analyzed variables were age, country, underlying conditions, clinical manifestations of PTD, and response to thiamine supplementation. One hundred and ten articles were identified, totaling 389 PTD cases that were classified into four age groups: neonates, infants, children, and adolescents. Eleven categories of PTD-predisposing factors were identified, including genetic causes, lifestyle (diabetes, obesity, and excessive consumption of sweetened beverages), eating disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders/surgeries, critical illness, and artificial nutrition. TD-associated hyperlactatemia and Wernicke encephalopathy were the most frequent clinical manifestations. The circumstances surrounding PTD in HICs differ from classic PTD observed in LMICs and this study delineates its mutiple predisposing factors. Further studies are required to estimate its magnitude. Awareness is of utmost importance in clinical practice.

Acute peritoneal dialysis, complications and outcomes in 389 children with STEC-HUS: a multicenter experience

BACKGROUND

Management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children with hemolytic uremic syndrome induced by a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection (STEC-HUS) is supportive; however, 40 to 60% of cases need kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The aim of this study was to analyze procedure complications, especially peritonitis, and clinical outcomes in children with AKI secondary to STEC-HUS treated with acute PD.

METHODS

This is a multicenter retrospective study conducted among thirty-seven Argentinian centers. We reviewed medical records of 389 children with STEC-HUS hospitalized between January 2015 and February 2019 that required PD.

RESULTS

Complications associated with PD were catheter malfunction (n = 93, 24%), peritonitis (n = 75, 19%), fluid leaks (n = 45, 11.5%), bleeding events (n = 23, 6%), and hyperglycemia (n = 8, 2%). In the multivariate analysis, the use of antibiotic prophylaxis was independently associated with a decreased risk of peritonitis (hazard ratio 0.49, IC 95% 0.29-0.81; p = 0.001), and open-surgery catheter insertion was independently associated with a higher risk (hazard ratio 2.8, IC 95% 1.21-6.82; p = 0.001). Discontinuation of PD due to peritonitis, severe leak, or mechanical complications occurred in 3.8% of patients. No patient needed to be transitioned to other modality of KRT due to inefficacy of the technique. Mortality during the acute phase occurred in 2.8% patients due to extrarenal complications (neurological and cardiac involvement), not related to PD.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute PD was a safe and effective method to manage AKI in children with STEC-HUS. Prophylactic antibiotics prior to insertion of the PD catheter should be considered to decrease the incidence of peritonitis.

Peritoneal dialysis in children with sepsis-associated AKI (SA-AKI): an experience in a low- to middle-income country

Background: In critically ill children, sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) has significant morbidity and mortality.Aim: To estimate whether early initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) has a better short-term outcome than standard PD.Methods: Early PD (n = 25) was defined as a need for PD in Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stage 2 AKI, while those fulfilling the criteria for stage 3 KDIGO were categorised as a standard PD group (n = 25). The primary outcome measure was the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at discharge or at 4 weeks after initiation of PD, whichever occurred earlier.Results: A prospective cohort of 50 children (32 boys) aged 2 months to 16 years with SA-AKI who underwent PD were recruited. The most frequent indication for PD was fluid overload (40%), followed by persistent metabolic acidosis (36%). Children in the early PD group had lower creatinine and higher eGFR at discharge/4-week follow-up (p < 0.001). The duration of PD was less if it was commenced early (p < 0.04); 24 of 25 (96%) children in the early PD group were off PD within 6 days of initiation compared with 13 of 25 (52%) in the standard PD group (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Compared with standard PD, early PD in SA-AKI resulted in a favourable renal outcome, decreased duration of PD and early discontinuation of dialysis.Abbreviations : AKI: acute kidney injury; CRRT: continuous renal replacement therapy; CS-AKI: cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; ELAIN: early versus late initiation of renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury; ESCAPE: effect of strict blood pressure control and ACE inhibition on the progression of chronic kidney disease in paediatric patients; HIC: high-income countries; ISN: international society of nephrology; KDIGO: Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes; LMIC: low- to middle-income countries; PD: peritoneal dialysis; PICU: paediatric intensive care unit; RRT: renal replacement therapy; SA-AKI: sepsis-associated acute kidney injury; SYL: Saving Young Lives; SOFA: sequential (sepsis-related) organ failure assessment score; STARRT-AKI: standard versus accelerated initiation of renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury.

Clinical evaluation of the Prismaflex™ HF 20 set and Prismaflex™ system 7.10 for acute continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) in children

BACKGROUND

Continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) is a common modality for treatment of severe acute kidney injury (AKI) in children. Adult technologies routinely utilized to provide this therapy have a large extracorporeal volume. The Prismaflex™ HF20 filter set has a relatively low extracorporeal blood volume of 60 mL, which provides technological benefit for smaller children compared with current filter sets available in the USA.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, open-label single group study to evaluate whether the Prismaflex™ HF20 filter set delivers efficacious and safe CKRT to support patients with AKI, fluid overload, or both in pediatric patients weighing ≥ 8 to 20 kg.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients were enrolled between April 24, 2016 and April 8, 2018. The mean reduction in blood urea nitrogen from baseline to 24 h was 58.12 ± 20.08% (95% CI, - 68.45 and - 47.79 (p = 0.0008)). Median cumulative normalized effluent rate at 24 h was 60.8 mL/kg/h (25.9, 83.7). None of the patients participating in the study suffered a serious adverse event; thus, no obvious safety concerns were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the Prismaflex HF20™ filter set used in conjunction with the Prismaflex™ System Software Version 7.10 or 7.20 is a suitable alternative to larger filter sets for use in pediatric patients weighing less than 20 kg. Graphical abstract.

Renal replacement therapies for infants and children in the ICU

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pediatric acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Emerging data support that the incidence of pediatric AKI in the ICU is rising. For children with severe AKI, renal replacement therapy (RRT) can provide a lifesaving supportive therapy. The optimal timing to deliver and modality by which to deliver RRT remain a point of discussion within pediatric (and adult) literature. This review discusses the use of RRT for pediatric patients in the ICU. We discuss the most recent evidence-based methods for RRT with a focus on continuous RRT.

RECENT FINDINGS

The feasibility of dialyzing the smallest infants and more medically complex children in the ICU is dependent on the advancements in dialysis access and circuit technology. At present, data indicate that upward of 27% of children in the ICU develop AKI and 6% require RRT. Newer dialysis modalities including prolonged intermittent hemodialysis and continuous flow peritoneal dialysis as well as newer dialysis technologies such as the smaller volume circuits (e.g., Cardio-Renal Pediatric Dialysis Emergency Machine, Newcastle Infant Dialysis and Ultrafiltration System) have made the provision of dialysis safer and more effective for pediatric patients of a variety of sizes.

SUMMARY

Renal replacement in the ICU requires a multidisciplinary team approach that is facilitated by a pediatric nephrologist in conjunction with intensivists and skilled nursing staff. Although mortality rates for children on dialysis remain high, outcomes are improving with the support of the multidisciplinary team and dialysis technology advancements.