Abstract
Background :Acute peritoneal dialysis (APD) is a first-line rescue therapy for neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) refractory to conservative management, but its efficacy in preterm infants remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of APD and APD efficiency in extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of inborn ELBW infants who underwent APD in a tertiary center. We recorded perinatal characteristics, including the causes of AKI and clinical outcomes. Serial input and output data and laboratory parameters to assess ultrafiltration/dialysis efficiency were also obtained. Results : A total of 12 ELBW infants were included in the study. Mean gestational age and birth weight were 27.2 weeks and 706.5 g, respectively. Leading cause of AKI was sepsis (50%) followed by perinatal asphyxia. Mean age at the start of PD was 16.3 days. Mean ultrafiltration (UF) rate was 2.73 mL/kg/h. After a mean duration of 9.4 days, the mean reduction in serum BUN and Cr levels was 42.5% and 20.1%, respectively. Mean sodium level increased from 135.8 to 144.7 mg/mL, and mean potassium level decreased from 6.8 to 5.0 mg/mL. The most common complication was mechanical dysfunction of the catheter, including dialysate leakage via the insertion site (75%). Only two patients were successfully weaned off APD. The overall mortality rate was 92%. Conclusions : In ELBW infants with AKI, APD was an effective rescue therapy in terms of its ultrafiltration and dialysis efficiency, but not with respect to neonatal mortality. Indications for APD in ELBW infants should be individualized depending on the etiology of AKI.