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High doses of calcitriol were used prospectively for 11 to 29 months to raise serum calcium levels in an effort to control renal osteodystrophy in 16 children undergoing CAPD. Serum Ca, P, iPTH and alkaline phosphatase were measured monthly; hand radiographs were obtained every six months, and a semiquantitative score of bone abnormalities was evaluated by two independent observers. During the study, serum Ca increased from 9.9 +/- 0.9 to 11.0 +/- 0.6 mg/dl (P less than 0.001); serum iPTH decreased by 113 +/- 131 microliter Eq/ml (P less than 0.005); serum P was unchanged; and serum alkaline phosphatase fell by 33 +/- 46% (P less than 0.02), 530 +/- 397 to 204 +/- 551 IU/liter. The radiographic score fell from 4.8 +/- 4.6 to 0.9 +/- 1.2 (P less than 0.005). The average and maximal doses of calcitriol were 0.61 +/- 0.37 and 0.95 +/- 0.56 microgram/day or 28 +/- 18 and 46 +/- 28 ng/kg body wt/day, respectively. Transient and asymptomatic hypercalcemia occurred in nine patients and two patients had reversible conjunctivitis in association with the hypercalcemia. Thus, "high dose" calcitriol prevented or controlled progression of hyperparathyroid bone disease in most pediatric CAPD patients. The failure to suppress PTH or reverse secondary hyperparathyroidism until the serum Ca rose to 10.5 to 11.0 mg/dl could reflect an increase in the "set point" for PTH suppression by serum calcium in many uremic children.

Two important criteria for successful end-stage renal disease therapy in children are achievement of optimal growth and possession of a well-functioning renal transplant. We describe eight children with accelerated post-transplant growth. Accelerated and even catch-up growth was achievable if the transplant occurred at an early age (less than 9 years), the daily dose of prednisone was low (less than or equal to 0.24 mg/kg/d), and renal function was excellent (creatinine clearance greater than or equal to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2). However, the benefit to growth of transplanting a kidney in young children may be offset by reduced cadaver graft survival in children younger than 6 years. To study whether the less favorable graft survival was attributable to an increased immunologic responsiveness in the younger child, we examined three tests of nonspecific immune responsiveness, each of which, when increased, may indicate a propensity toward rejection: total T cell absolute number, T helper/suppressor ratio, and spontaneous blastogenesis. Each measurement was significantly increased in 20 uremic children 5 years old or younger, compared with 81 children 6 to 23 years of age. These data suggest that improved growth may be attained by transplanting a kidney in the young child with end-stage renal disease, but the young child may be at increased risk for rejection. This hypothesis suggests that for optimal rehabilitation, strategies should take into account the unique needs of the young child.

Plasma somatomedin (SM) activity and growth hormone (GH) concentration were measured in ten growth-retarded, well-nourished pediatric renal allograft recipients who received daily prednisone therapy. The SM activity ranged from 0.21 to 1.22 micron/mL, and it was subnormal in three patients. A significant correlation was found between SM activity and creatinine clearance. Serial SM levels were determined during a 24-hour period in five patients; SM activity decreased at six and 12 hours and returned to normal values by 24 hours. The 24-hour plasma GH concentrations ranged from 1.5 to 7.6 mg/mL. Peak GH concentrations ranged from 2.1 to 14.2 ng/mL after insulin-induced hypoglycemia and from 1.8 to 24.6 ng/mL after oral glucose loading. Sleeping GH peaks were absent in two patients. These results suggest that growth failure in renal allograft recipients who receive daily prednisone may result from (1) partial GH deficiency, (2) reduced SM levels owing to diminished allograft function, and (3) daily transient decrease in plasma SM levels after prednisone administration.

The adolescent with ESRD is frequently immature in relationship to chronological age. Growth and pubertal development are major concerns for the adolescent with ESRD. If renal failure had its onset prior to adolescence, it is likely that puberty will be delayed and ultimate adult height retarded for the patient requiring ESRD care during the adolescent period. Non-compliance with the therapeutic regimen is a major clinical problem encountered in the management of the adolescent. Significant morbidity can result from non-compliance with the dialysis regimen and non-compliance is a major cause of allograft loss in the adolescent transplant recipient. The special needs of the adolescent must be considered if ESRD care is to be successful.

This paper describes a retrospective evaluation of the course of renal bone disease in 14 children undergoing treatment with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for an average of 11.9 +/- 1.5 months (mean +/- SE). The patients were divided in two groups according to the changes in serum alkaline phosphatase activity during the period of observation: five patients had alkaline phosphatase activity that decreased or was relatively stable (group I), and nine patients exhibited a rising serum alkaline phosphatase activity (group II). Serial radiological examinations showed adequate control of renal osteodystrophy in the patients of group I, whereas the patients of group II had no improvement or worsening of their bone disease. Group I had higher serum calcium and lower parathyroid hormone levels than group II at the end of period of observation despite similar dosage of vitamin D metabolite. The progression of bone disease was not related to the duration of CAPD or type of previous treatment for end stage renal disease. The observation that the radiological manifestations of secondary hyperparathyroidism were prevented in patients whose serum calcium levels were frequently above 2.62 mmol/liter (group I) while serum calcium levels between 2.25 and 2.50 mmol/liter in group II patients failed to lead to regression of secondary hyperparathyroidism is consistent with the existence of altered "set-point" regulation of the parathyroid gland in children undergoing CAPD.

Acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) occurs in adult patients undergoing long-term dialysis. Early detection is important because clinically significant hematuria and malignancies are associated with ACKD. We evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) the incidence of ACKD in 15 patients aged 7.3-21.6 years (mean 15.9 years) with non-cystic primary renal disease. Nine patients had been treated with peritoneal dialysis only, and 6 with both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for 24-73 months (mean 37 months). Three patients (20%) had no cysts. In 5 patients (33%) with bilateral multiple cysts, the diagnosis of ACKD was made by MRI and US. In another 5 patients, solitary cysts were localized to one kidney by MRI, and in 2 patients solitary cysts were seen in both kidneys. This study documents that ACKD is not limited to older patients with end-stage renal disease. Early detection of these cysts can be accomplished by MRI and is warranted since 1 patient developed neoplastic tubular changes which can precede tumor formation.

Bioassayable serum somatomedin activity could be estimated in uremic subjects only after appropriate correction for increased circulating inorganic sulfate. Somatomedin activity increased after hemodialysis in six of ten patients, possibly due to removal of somatomedin inhibitors.

Reduced somatomedin activity was uniformly present pre-dialysis in 7 children with end-stage renal disease. Somatomedin activity improved in 6 of the 7 patients following a single 5 hr hemodialysis. Percent normal growth correlated with post-dialysis somatomedin activity in 6 of the 7 children. No correlation was present between percent normal growth and calorie or protein intake. Reduced somatomedin activity in children with end-stage renal disease appears to be due to a circulating uremic inhibitor(s). Somatomedin activity may be a useful in vitro test for adequacy of dialysis in children. Further efforts are necessary to identify the inhibitor(s) of somatomedin activity in uremia.

The Raji cell radioimmune assay (RC-RIA) was used to demonstrate antigen-mediated dissociation of soluble circulating immune complexes (CICs). The dissociation resulted in a reduction in size and number of CICs which was reflected in diminished RC-RIA activity. Two sets of experiments were performed to examine the effect of preincubating excess antigen with immune complexes. First, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was preincubated with preformed BSA-anti-BSA immune complexes and RC-RIA activity was examined before and after incubating. Second, CIC-positive sera from two patients with human thyroglobulin (HuTg)-mediated immune complex glomerulonephritis were preincubated with HuTg and RC-RIA activity was examined. Significant reductions in RC-RIA activity were seen in both situations. The validity of these observations was confirmed by immunofluorescence and electrophoretic techniques. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation studies confirmed the antigen-mediated diminution in size and number of soluble immune complexes as the mechanism responsible for diminished RC-RIA activity.

Several immunologic tests hve been developed to predict allograft rejection prior to functional renal impairment. Unfortunately, no test has as yet proven unequivocally to be of clinical value. Serial serum creatinine determinations and 131I hippuran scintiphotography have proven to be the most useful tests in detecting rejection episodes. Treatment of an acute rejection episode is often successful, but chronic rejection causes a slowly progressive deterioration of allograft function and is unresponsive to treatment.

Over a 2 1/2-year period, prospective standard, T, and B lymphocyte crossmatches were performed in 45 cadaver renal transplants using the microlymphocytotoxicity technique. Twenty-three of the 45 recipients had a positive B lymphocyte crossmatch. Cumulative graft survival rates did not differ between recipients with a positive and negative B lymphocyte crossmatch. High levels of presensitization in routine lymphocytotoxic antibody screening or transplant number did not adversely affect graft survival in recipients with a positive B lymphocyte crossmatch. Five recipients had moderately positive standard crossmatches which were attributable to anti-B lymphocytotoxicity. Four of these five grafts are presently functioning with normal serum creatinine levels 9 to 14 months post-transplant. A positive B lymphocyte crossmatch is compatible with good long-term cadaveric renal allograft survival. In addition, a weakly positive standard crossmatch is not a contraindication to transplantation when the positive crossmatch is attributable to anti-B lymphocyte antibody.

The outcome of renal transplantation was examined in 52 pediatric patients (mean age 13 years) whose primary renal disease was obstructive uropathy. The bladder was used at transplantation in 45 allograft recipients, 39 of whom had had a previous lower urinary tract operation or bladder defunctionalization. An ileal loop was used in 7 recipients. The 52 patients received 73 renal allografts from 58 cadaver and 15 live-related donors. Presently, 40 patients (77 per cent) have functioning allografts, 4 have returned to dialysis and 8 (15 per cent) have died. The results indicate that the outcome of renal transplantation in patients with obstructive uropathy is similar to that of other transplant recipients. Damaged and defunctionalized bladders may be used successfully in most cases. If necessary an ileal conduit is an effective alternative. Post-transplant urologic complications occur with increased frequency but with appropriate management allograft salvage and patient survival are excellent.

Aluminum removal via peritoneal dialysis was evaluated after the administration of deferoxamine in patients treated with CAPD and CCPD. The intravenous administration of deferoxamine, 40 mg/kg, led to a 730 +/- 139% increase in aluminum removal, compared to an increase of 641 +/- 178% after the drug was administered intraperitoneally. The mean dialysate: plasma concentration ratio for aluminum rose from 0.17 +/- 0.03 to 0.32 +/- 0.03 with intravenous deferoxamine administration, and from 0.19 +/- 0.05 to 0.38 +/- 0.07 with the intraperitoneal instillation of deferoxamine. In the seven patients with paired studies using both modalities of administration, there were no significant differences in the increments in plasma aluminum or in aluminum removal over a 24-hour period. In patients from whom effluent dialysate was collected for several days after the administration of deferoxamine, daily aluminum losses increased from 218 +/- 76 micrograms/24 hours before the administration of desferrioxamine to 1521 +/- 339, 1120 +/- 232, and 948 +/- 328 micrograms/24 hours over three successive days after deferoxamine. These data indicate that aluminum is effectively removed after the administration of either intravenous or intraperitoneal deferoxamine. The enhanced rate of removal of aluminum by peritoneal dialysis persists for several days after a single dose of deferoxamine. The efficacy and safety of long-term treatment with intraperitoneal deferoxamine requires further study.

A 7 1/2-year-old boy with chronic renal failure (CRF) experienced transient central isosexual precocious puberty. Simultaneously, he demonstrated hyperprolactinemia with galactorrhea and apparent secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism. These findings could have been a consequence of an unexplained hypothalamic dysregulation. During this period, marked linear growth ensued (8.7 cm during nine months) associated with rapid bone age advancement (four years during a 21-month period). Whereas most boys with CRF demonstrate delayed pubertal development and suppressed linear growth, our patient's transient condition demonstrated that both growth and puberty can occur in the presence of uremia.

Surgical reconstruction for ureteral obstruction is necessary in 1 to 10 per cent of renal transplants. On an acute basis edema, ischemia, lymphocele and hematoma formation cause ureteral obstruction. Chronic etiologies include ureterovesical obstruction and retroperitoneal or ureteral fibrosis. Options for repair are myriad and include repeat ureteral reimplantation, pyeloureterostomy, ureteroureterostomy, pyelocystostomy and calycovesicostomy. We report on the desirability of calycovesicostomy as a last resort option for total ureteral obstruction after renal transplantation.

Fourteen patients (13 of them adolescents) interrupted immunosuppressive treatment following renal transplantation. Twelve were girls and two were boys. Six subsequently lost their allografts and eight had impaired renal function. Noncompliance was suspected when diminution in cushingoid features, unexplained weight loss, or changes in renal function occurred. Noncompliance was comfirmed by interview with psychosocial staff. Available psychosocial data from family interview and personality test obtained earlier as part of systematic follow-up study were analyzed to explore the reasons for noncompliance. Non compliant patient families had lower incomes, more fatherless households, and comunication difficulties within the family and with the medical establishment. Using a stepwise discriminant analysis, a discriminant function was derived which selected 13 of 14 noncompliant patients. Noncompliance may be a preventable cause of allograft failure. These data can aid in identifying high-risk patients and planning intervention programs.

Currently at our institution more than 90% of the children with end-stage renal disease are managed with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in preference to hemodialysis until a successful transplant is accomplished. Recent refinements in CAPD catheters and dialysis techniques have greatly added to the many medical, psychological, and economic advantages of CAPD compared with chronic hemodialysis. Ninety-three patients less than 21 years of age underwent insertion of 167 peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters over a 5-year period. A variety of PD catheters were used, including 121 (73%) double-cuff Tenckhoff catheters, 22 (13%) single-cuff, and 24 (14%) column disc catheters (Lifecaths, Physio-Control Corp, Redmond, WA). There were three (3%) noncatheter-related mortalities and minimal significant morbidity during the 1,819 patient-months of catheter use. Exit site infections (61%) and peritonitis (59%) were frequent but minor complications, occasionally requiring catheter replacement. Other noninfectious complications included abdominal hernias (42%), dialysis leaks (14%), distal cuff extrusion (11%), catheter obstruction (7%), and hydrothorax (2%). Forty-five of the 60 hernias (75%) were surgically repaired in patients while receiving CAPD. Persistent or recurrent peritonitis was common with Pseudomonas, Serratia, and fungal infections and often resulted in catheter removal and loss of the peritoneal dialysis membrane. Catheter survival for the double-cuff Tenckhoff was significantly better (P .005) than the single-cuff or Lifecath. Based on this experience we have found that using specific operative techniques for CAPD catheter placement and early surgical management for severe peritonitis reduces the incidence of complications and modality failure.

Serum aluminum concentrations were measured in 16 children undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis after 7.9 +/- 2.1 (mean +/- SE) and 16.6 +/- 2.3 months of therapy, when the estimated simultaneous oral Al intake from Al hydroxide gels was 98 +/- 20 and 104 +/- 32 mg/kg/day, respectively. Serum Al concentrations were 55.2 +/- 11.4 and 59.8 +/- 10.4 micrograms/L, respectively, compared to 8.2 +/- 1.1 micrograms/L in normal children (P less than 0.001). Serum Al levels correlated with oral Al intake (r = 0.86, P less than 0.001) and inversely with body weight (r = -0.68, P less than 0.01) and age (r = -0.67, P less than 0.01). The youngest patient with the highest serum Al concentrations (208 and 174 micrograms/L) and greatest Al intake (310 and 192 mg/kg/day) had bone biopsy features characteristic of aluminum-related bone disease. Thus, higher aluminum intake per kilogram body weight given to young children is likely to raise the serum Al levels and increase the risk of osteomalacia. Aluminum-containing antacids should be used with caution in infants and young children with renal failure.

19 young children (less than 5 years old) have received 31 renal transplants from 4 live relatives and 27 cadaver donors. The 2-year allograft survival rate for the patients receiving their 1st allograft from the 4 live donors was 75 +/- 22% while for the patients receiving their 1st allograft from 15 cadaver donors was 26 +/- 11%. 10 children are currently surviving with functioning allographs (7 cadavers and 3 live relatives); 4 have died and 5 are undergoing dialysis after the loss of at least one allograft. Despite the poor allograft survival rate the fact that 7 children are surviving with cadaver allografts indicates that the lack of a living related donor should not prevent transplants in young children.

Fine needle aspiration is a relatively safe, minimally invasive technique for morphologic evaluation of intragraft events in renal transplant recipients. We assessed the usefulness of this technique in the diagnosis of acute cyclosporine nephrotoxicity (NT). Two aspirate features considered indicative of NT were examined; tubular cell cytoplasmic isometric vacuolization (IV) and isolated graft lymphocytosis. Fifty-six adequate aspirates from 22 patients receiving cyclosporine were evaluated by the method of Hayry and von Willebrand. Retrospectively, four groups were identified for the purpose of this study: A, greater than 50% tubular cell population with IV (N = 11); B, less than 50% tubular cell population with IV (N = 15); C, graft lymphocytosis without IV (N = 15); D, normal aspirates (N = 15). A retrospective clinical diagnosis of cyclosporine NT was present at the time of ten aspirations in Group A (91%) and one each in Groups B (7%) and C (7%, P less than 0.001). No patients with aspirates in Group D had NT. The remaining aspirates were from patients with multiple clinical diagnoses. Plasma cyclosporine levels did not correlate with IV or graft lymphocytosis. Serum creatinine levels were higher in patients from Group A as compared with Group D (P less than 0.03). We conclude that not all patients treated with cyclosporine or diagnosed with clinical cyclosporine NT demonstrate IV or lymphocytosis in graft aspirates. However, when isometric vacuolization occurs in greater than 50% of tubular cells, acute cyclosporine NT must be considered strongly. Isolated graft lymphocytosis is a nonspecific finding.

Serial calculations of glomerular filtration rate were made in 31 pediatric liver transplant recipients surviving more than 1 year. GFR was computed from the Schwartz formula, (cGFR = KL/S Cr), before orthotopic liver transplantation, and at 3-6 monthly intervals thereafter. At the same time points, CsA dose/kg, CsA level, blood pressure, and liver functions were recorded. The mean difference between the pre-OLT cGFR and the most-current cGFR for all patients was -50 ml/min/1.73 m2 (P = less than 0.005). In 17/31 (55%), the current cGFR was less than 80 ml/min/1.73 m2, indicative of renal impairment. The cGFR continued to decrease in 24 patients followed beyond 1 year (26.8 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year decrease, P less than 0.005). More patients with a cGFR less than 80 ml/min/1.73 m2 had outpatient hypertension. There was no correlation of cGFR with CsA levels, CsA dose, or liver function. We conclude that a significant decrease in cGFR is seen in children treated with CsA for more than 1 year, which is progressive in the majority.

Evaluation of 75 cadaver donor retransplants revealed that the primary factor influencing allograft survival is patient responsiveness as reflected by sensitization with preformed cytotoxic antibodies. Actuarial allograft survival rates for nonpresensitized (less than 5%) and moderately presensitized (5 to 50%) recipients were significantly (P less than 0.01) better than those of highly presensitized (greater than 50%) recipients. Although HLA A&B antigen histocompatibility did not have a statistically significant effect on retransplant outcome, it appeared to influence allograft survival in the highly presensitized recipient. An approach to the management of children who lose an initial or subsequent allograft is indicated by these data.

The immunological events mediated by, and antigen specificity of, allograft-bound lymphocytes (ABLs) are poorly understood. To further define the role of antibody-mediated rejection, a rejected allograft from a patient with primary anti-TBM disease was sterilely minced and pressed through a microscreen. The ABLs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. Using this technique, 8.5 X 10(6) ABLs were isolated. Then 1 X 10(6) washed ABLs/ml were suspended in RPMI 1640 with 20% fetal calf serum and cultured in microtiter plates with media only, or with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) (100 micrograms/culture). The cells were incubated for 7 days and supernatants were collected and assayed for total IgG and IgM by a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and reactivity with normal human kidney targets by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and immunoperoxidase (IP) techniques. Total IgG production was 500 ng/ml for both spontaneous and PWM stimulated cells. No IgM production was detected. IF and IP studies demonstrated IgG-anti-TBM antibodies in the spontaneous supernatants only. IgG antibodies reactive with peritubular capillaries (anti-PTC) were also noted. IgG-anti-TBM anti-bodies and antibodies reactive with arterioles were subsequently demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence techniques in the rejected allograft. Analysis of serum samples obtained at the time of allograft rejection showed no IF or IP reactivity with the kidney targets. Subsequent analysis of anti-TBM production by the patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMs) showed IgM-anti-TBM only. These studies suggest that the IgG-anti-TBM and IgG-anti-PTC antibodies reactive with the allograft resulted from in situ antibody production by ABLs; the role of anti-TBM antibodies in mediating the AR is unclear, but their presence suggests recurrence of the original disease in the allograft. Anti-PTC antibodies could be important in mediation of the vascular AR.

Transplantation of infants less than 1 year of age with kidneys from live-related parental donors has recently led to good results, whereas cadaver donor renal transplantation in this recipient age group has led to a high mortality rate (11/13). Similarly, the results of cadaver donor renal transplantation in infants and young children less than 5 years of age has been suboptimal in the past, although recent data are more encouraging. With recent availability of long-term peritoneal dialysis for the infant and young child with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), it is possible to defer transplantation until an optimal donor becomes available. Because of the possible immunologic hyperactivity of such recipients, the immunosuppressive regimen may need to be modified if improved cadaver donor survival rates are to be obtained. The use of anencephalic kidneys for transplantation has been associated with a high incidence of primary nonfunction and few recipients with long-term functioning grafts. Harvesting of kidneys from anencephalic donors declared "brain-dead" at birth may reduce the incidence of primary nonfunction and increase the availability of anencephalic kidneys for transplantation. Reports of the use of pediatric cadaver kidneys for transplantation into pediatric and adult recipients yields discrepant results. Analysis of the data indicates that if pediatric cadaver kidneys from donors less than 6 years of age are used, the potential for decreased graft survival rates and an increased incidence of technical complications exists. However, the use of pediatric cadaver kidneys can provide adequate graft function in both pediatric and adult recipients and the use of such kidneys should increase the number of kidneys available for transplantation.

The clinical experience in eight infants aged 5.8 +/- 2.3 (SD) months at the initiation of continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) is described. BUN, creatinine, albumin, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase measurements were performed serially and no changes were seen throughout the follow-up period. Mean total energy and protein intake were 94 +/- 8% and 79 +/- 9% of the recommended. The initial and final standard deviation scores (SDS) for height were -1.42 +/- 1.32 and -2.47 +/- 1.36 (P less than 0.001), respectively. The SDS for body weight and head circumference were -1.67 +/- 0.71 and -1.67 +/- 1.04, respectively, at the beginning of the study and -1.83 +/- 0.98 and -1.88 +/- 1.52, respectively, at the end of the period of observation. The incidence of peritonitis was one episode every 11.6 patient months; six patients developed nine hernias. The present study demonstrates that CCPD is an acceptable dialytic modality, with minimal morbidity, for the management of infants awaiting renal transplantation.

Recurrent and unusually severe hypercalcemia was observed in an infant undergoing continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis and receiving oral calcitriol and calcium carbonate. Rapid correction was achieved with peritoneal dialysis using a calcium-free dialysis solution.

Serial HB Ag determinations were obtained on 62 children undergoing hemodialysis during a 31/2-year period. Thirty six (58%) of the patients had atleast one positive HB Ag determination (titer larger than 1:8) either during the period of dialysis or within 2 months after transplantation. Of the children who became HB Ag positive during the period of dialysis, 89% demonstrated hepatitis B antigenemia during the initial 6 months of dialysis. Becuase of the temporal relationship between the development of HB Ag positivity and the duration of dialysis, contamination of equipment was proposed as a contributing source for transmission of HB Ag. Although 67% of the patients who were HB Ag positive during dialysis developed biochemical evidence of hepatic dysfunction, only two patients had clinical manifestations. The incidence of hepatic involvement appeared to be related to age; only one of nine children less than 12 years of age had evidence of hepatic disease. Intermittent persistence of HB Ag for periods larger than 3 years was observed. Both the incidence and persistence of HB Ag indicate the need to prevent its acquisition by pediatric patients undergoing hemodialysis.

In 93 children, end-stage renal disease was treated with the new dialytic methods of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) over 5 years. Modality survival rates at 36 months with CAPD, CCPD, or both were 20%, 93%, and 87%, respectively. Use of CCPD as the primary dilaytic method increased during the study period. The peritonitis rate was one episode per 11.8 patient treatment months and was similar with both CAPD and CCPD. Gram-positive organisms were cultured in 34% of these episodes of peritonitis. Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis was associated with a recurrence rate of 40% and led to catheter replacement in 45% of the episodes. Peritoneal membrane failure necessitating switching to hemodialysis was related to peritonitis in three patients. Of the 74 peritoneal catheters that required replacement, 70% were infected. Serial serum levels of urea nitrogen, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase remained stable, whereas serum creatinine level rose slightly over time. Episodes of hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia were observed at a frequency of one episode per 12.2, 4.6, and 2.5 treatment months, respectively. Blood transfusions were required in once per 1.5 and 3.3 treatment months in seven anephric patients and in 35 patients with their own kidneys, respectively (P = 0.05). In prepubertal patients who received CAPD or CCPD for greater than 1 year, little or no improvement in growth occurred in relationship to either chronologic or bone age.

Peroneal motor nerve conduction velocities (MNCVs) were performed on 58 children aged 20 months to 12 years undergoing chronic hemodialysis. No patient had any clinical manifestations of uremic polyneuropathy. The mean MNCV in 21 children at the onset of dialysis was 42.0 m/sec; significantly slower than the control group of 51.4 +/- 5.3 m/sec (p less than 0.001). 16 studied performed between the 1st and 6th month had a mean MNCV of 43.2 +/- 5.7 m/sec, also slower than the normal controls (p less than 0.001). We conclude that peroneal MNCVs are reduced in most children at the initiation of chronic hemodialysis and do not change significantly during the next 6--12 months and that the routine practice of obtaining such studied is of no value in the clinical management of children undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Mathematical models have been used since 1976 in an attempt to predict the progression of chronic renal failure. These models have used the serum creatinine level as either a reciprocal or logarithmic plot against time. The accuracy of such predictions are characterized by either a correlation coefficient (r value) or prediction error (time at which dialysis was predicted minus time at which dialysis actually occurred). Retrospectively, we analyzed 37 children who progressed to end-stage renal disease, grouped them by their respective primary diseases, and calculated both r values and prediction error for each individual and group. Although r values for each group (with the exception of patients less than 1 year of age) were comparable, prediction errors were widely disparate among the various groupings. Individuals within each of the groups had disparate values even though identical r values were present. These observations indicate that predictive models using serum creatinine levels are of limited clinical use and are least useful for patients younger than 1 year of age.

Five anemic, transfusion-dependent patients aged 12 to 18 years, who had end-stage renal disease (mean hematocrit value 22 +/- 0.31%) and were on a regimen of peritoneal dialysis, were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo), which was self-administered at home by subcutaneous injections thrice weekly at an initial dosage of 150 U/kg. All patients had an increase in the reticulocyte count and hemoglobin concentration, and none required further transfusions. The hematocrit level rose to a mean of 33.04 +/- 1.86% within 3 weeks of rHuEpo therapy, and the dosage was adjusted to keep the hematocrit level between 32% and 38% indefinitely. Currently four of these patients require only one dose a week to sustain the hematocrit level. No antibodies to the rHuEpo were formed. Three patients had an exacerbation of hypertension, which required an adjustment in antihypertensive therapy. No other side effects were noted. The results demonstrate that rHuEpo is effective in correcting the anemia of end-stage renal disease, thereby eliminating the associated clinical symptoms and the need for further blood transfusions.

The effect of the in situ kidney on transfusion requirements and in vitro erythropoiesis was investigated in 20 patients with end stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. 6 of the 12 patients with in situ kidneys did not require transfusion, whereas the other 6 had an average monthly transfusion requirement of 277 ml of sedimented RBCs. All 8 anephric patients required transfusions with an average requirement of 352 ml of sedimented RBCs per month. Serum erythropoietin activity was inappropriately low for the degree of anemia in all but 1 patient, and bone marrow was uniformly hypocellular. Marrow cells from patients with in situ kidneys exhibited a greater response to erythropoietin than marrow cells from their anephric counterparts. The response was not improved by hemodialysis.