Capd in Saudi Arabian children : ten years experience from a single center

Abstract EN

In this paper we describe our experience with chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in children.

Between 1984 and 1993, a total of 51 patients were treated by CAPD at King Khalid University Hospital.

Eight patients were excluded from the study because of incomplete data.

There were 25 boys and 18 girls aged three months to 16 years; 12 patients (27.9%) were below two years, 15 patients (34.9%) were between 2-6 years, and 16 patients (37.2%) were above six years of age.

Reflux nephropathy secondary to obstructive uropathy was the main cause of ESRD in the study patients (27.9%).

The total period of CAPD was 579 patient-months (48.25 years).

The overall incidence of peritonitis was high, one episode per 4.7 patient months; one episode per 3.2 patient months in the first five years of the study and one episode per 6.2 patient-months in the 2nd five years of the study period.

The cause of peritonitis was gram positive organisms in 38.7% and gram negative organisms in 24.9%.

Seventeen (39.5%) of catheters were changed because of infection or mechanical obstruction.

In 90.7% of patients, the mother was the person who was performing dialysis.

At the end of the study, seven patients (16.2%) were still on CAPD, 10 patients (23.3%) shifted to heraodialysls, 16 patients (37.2%) were transplanted, six patients (14.0%) died and four patients (9.3%) recovered.

We conclude that CAPD may be a suitable renal replacement therapy for children in a country with a wide geographical area and low population density as Saudi Arabia.