Blood purification in neonates and low-birth-weight infants in Japan—guidelines for acute extracorporeal blood purification in neonates

For acute blood purification therapy in neonates, the principal modality used has been peritoneal dialysis (PD). With the development of equipment and apparatus, extracorporeal blood purification has become available for neonates and low-birth-weight infants. In Japan, we can use blood purification equipment of low blood flow rates (1 ml/min), small volume modules, and anticoagulant with low risk of hemorrhage. Guidelines for acute extracorporeal blood purification in neonates were made based on mainly the case reports and expert opinions in Japanese neonates. This guideline may help to save the lives and improve the prognoses of neonates with serious conditions. It is necessary to obtain evidence using apparatus appropriate for neonates.