Abstract
In a 6 year period 23 children age 5 to 14 yrs were trained for regular HHD usually with the mother as partner. Cimino fistulae, parallel-flow dialyzers and bed scales were used almost uniformly. The mean number of dialysis sessions(3x/wk) from start to discharge was 55(41-71). The mean distance between center and home was 150 km. HHD was supervised mainly by phone calls and home visits by nurses, technicians and the psychosocial team. 3% of all dialysis sessions after discharge were done on holidays and 16% after readmission to hospital for problems of vascular access(54%), overhydration/hypertension(12%),transfusions(5%),subsequent training (13%),social(6%), and other reasons (11%). One child died. School performance of most pts was comparable to that of healthy children. Tolerance to the considerable stress varied depending on the family structure. 16 pts were transplanted within 1-59(mean 15) months after start of HHD. In conclusion, HHD is an acceptable transient treatment form, which in our experience is possible in about half the children with end-stage renal failure. It requires cooperative, emotionally stable patients and parents and continuous support by an expert dialysis team.
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Michalk, D., Schärer, K., Mehls, O. et al. SIX YEARS EXPERIENCE IN HOME HAEMODIALYSIS (HHD) OF CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 14, 994 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198008000-00123
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198008000-00123