Survival of Tunneled Double Lumen-Cuffed Catheters in Children on Maintenance Hemodialysis - A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Survival of tunneled cuffed catheters (TCC), used widely in children, is complicated by infections and catheter dysfunction. In resource limited settings, where risk of complications could be higher and waiting period for transplantation longer, catheter survival determines patient survival. This study was conducted to determine infection free catheter survival rates, incidence of catheter failure and associated risk factors. Methods: Children <18 years of age receiving maintenance hemodialysis through TCC at nephrology division of a pediatric hospital, over a period of 6 years. Data was collected with consecutive selection by a complete enumeration technique from pre-collected data sheets in the records. Exposure detected were catheter infections, thrombosis, and mechanical complications. Results: Forty-five TCCs in 36 children studied for 12,590 catheter days showed catheter failure in 36%, due to catheter related infections in 75% and mechanical complications in 25%. The incidence of complications per 1000 catheter days was 1.19 infection, 1.03 thrombus, and 0.39 mechanical. Catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) (15/36) was associated with thrombus in nine and led to mortality in three. The mean infection free catheter survival was 449 ± 42 days for cohort with 388 ± 38 days in Group A (premature catheter removal) and 593 ± 43 days in Group B (elective removal) (P = 0.03). Catheterization duration of 267 days predicted CRBSI (sensitivity 93%, specificity 66.7%) with area under the curve of 0.808. Conclusions: Median infection free catheter survival was 449 days with catheter failure in 36%. CRBSI was the main cause of failure. Duration of catheterization greater than 267 days was a predictor of CRBSI.

Renal tubular dysgenesis associated with in utero exposure to Nimuselide.

Maternal ingestion of the selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor Nimuselide has been reported to be associated with the development of oligohydramnios and neonatal renal failure in some cases. We report a case of neonatal renal failure associated with maternal ingestion of Nimuselide in the third trimester of pregnancy. The neonate presented with metabolic acidosis and non-oliguric renal failure on the second day of life. The renal histopathology showed evidence of renal tubular dysgenesis. The child continues to have elevated serum creatinine and hypertension at 10 months of age.

Reversible renal medullary hyperechogenicity in neonatal hypernatremic dehydration.

Three exclusively breastfed term neonates were admitted with lethargy, poor feeding, and oligoanuria. All three babies were severely dehydrated and had a weight loss ranging from 18% to 40%. Serum sodium of more than 180 mEq/l and renal failure were observed in all three. Two had very high creatinine levels of 9.5 mg/dl and 6.7 mg/dl. Both these babies also had multiple seizures. One baby required mechanical ventilation. All three babies showed markedly hyperechoic renal medullary pyramids with speckled foci suggestive of crystal deposition that reversed completely on therapy. Urine showed abundant urate crystals in two and an elevated calcium/creatinine ratio of 1.6 in one. There was no evidence of distal renal tubular acidosis, Bartter syndrome, or high serum calcium. Supersaturation of the ions in a markedly hypertonic renal medulla may have led to crystallization, with resolubilization with hydration and restoration of good urine output. The hypernatremic dehydration was primarily due to lactation failure leading to inadequate fluid intake in the face of ongoing insensible losses. High breast milk sodium may have been a contributory factor in one patient.