Infectious and surgical complications of childhood continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

A 10-year retrospective study was performed with respect to the incidence of infectious and surgical complications in a young paediatric continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis population of 43 children (mean age 4.5 years [range 2.5 months-15.8 years]). The incidence of infectious complications such as peritonitis and catheter-related infections correlated well with the results of other studies. A relatively high incidence of hernias (53%) was seen in our population, probably caused by the lower mean age of the children. Obstructions were caused by omental wrapping, peritonitis, or operative procedures and did not correlate with the period of cathter function. Early leakage occurred within 5 days after catheter implantation. Later leakages were preceeded by another complication, such as infection or obstruction. In early leakage, in contrast to later leakage, the catheter could be maintained.