Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration in infants.

Renal replacement therapy is sometimes necessary in small infants with acute renal failure or severe metabolic disorders. Of the available methods hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are not always feasible in small infants. We used continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration as renal replacement therapy in five small infants. This report describes the technique and efficiency of this new extracorporal treatment modality. Azotemia and hypervolemia can be controlled easily by spontaneous or suction supported arteriovenous hemofiltration. Furthermore it allows adequate parenteral nutrition in anuric infants and eliminates toxic products in amino acid disorders. Arteriovenous hemofiltration is well tolerated by small infants and can be performed in every pediatric intensive care unit.