Improving acute peritoneal dialysis outcome with use of soft peritoneal dialysis catheter

Background Despite its utility, uncertainty exists on the feasibility of acute peritoneal dialysis (PD) and optimal PD catheter type for very low birth weight (VLBW < 1500 g) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW < 1000 g) infants. We hereby report our experience of acute PD among these high-risk infants and compare the outcome between stylet-based rigid catheter (SRC) and Cook Mac-Loc Multipurpose Drainage catheters® (CMMDC). Methods Case notes of infants < 1500 g undergoing PD between 2012 and 2021 in a network of five participating neonatal units supported by a tertiary paediatric nephrology centre in Kolkata, India, were retrospectively reviewed. PD was conducted either with SRC or after 2018 with CMMDC. Outcome parameters included complications, survival during PD, and survival to discharge. Results 24 infants (VLBW: n = 13 and ELBW: n = 11) underwent PD at median age 4.5 days (IQR 3-6) with either CMMDC (n = 14) or SRC (n = 10). Significant improvement in biochemical parameters and fluid removal was seen in both ELBW and VLBW infants. CMMDC was associated with significantly fewer PD-related complications 7/14 (50%) vs. 9/10 (90%) (p = 0.04) and higher survival during PD 13/14 (93%) vs. 5/10 (50%) (p = 0.02), without significant difference in survival to hospital discharge 8/14 (57%) vs. 3/10 (30%) (p = 0.25). CMMDC also enabled longer duration of PD, higher ultrafiltration, and better control of acidosis. Consumable cost was higher for CMMDC (USD$60) than SRC (USD$14). Conclusions In a low resource setting, CMMDC had lower PD complications and superior short-term survival among ELBW/VLBW infants. Graphical abstract A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information