Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in pediatric patients: a 20-month experience.

Thirty-six patients aged 1.6 to 18.8 years with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) underwent continuous, ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) between August, 1980, and May, 1982. With four or five exchanges daily, the mean serum urea and creatinine levels were 75 +/- 24 mg/dl and 9.2 +/- 3.1 mg/dl, respectively, hypertension was controlled in 34 of 36 patients without antihypertensive medications, and transfusion requirements were minimal in nephric patients (0.20 U/month). Despite added energy intake from dialysate glucose absorption, the total energy intake was suboptimal in most patients. The mean growth velocity was only 0.35 cm/month and only 4 of 17 patients observed for more than 6 months exhibited normal growth velocity. The incidence of peritonitis was one episode every 12.5 patient months. Rehabilitation was excellent with all patients engaged in age-appropriate activities. CAPD appears to be an acceptable therapeutic modality for children with ESRD.