Evaluation of dialysis practice patterns in children having end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis at a pediatric nephrology unit.

Hemodialysis (HD) involves purifying the blood of waste products through diffusion through a semipermeable membrane. We aimed to evaluate dialysis practice patterns among children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance HD (MHD). This cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 children with ESRD on MHD at the pediatric nephrology unit of Menoufia University and 18 age- and sex-matched children who served as the control group. Consent was obtained from children more than seven years old and their parents and from parents of younger children. They were all subjected to full history, complete physical examination, efficiency measures estimation (for cases), and laboratory investigations. Risk factors for death were determined using the logistic regression model; data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. The study showed that the causes of ESRD in children were unknown in 43.3%; about 73.3% of cases were short-statured and 53.3% were underweight. About 40% of the cases were hypertensive showing a significant difference from controls (P <0.01). A double-lumen jugular catheter (DLJC) was the initial access in 80% of cases. The urea reduction ratio and Kt/V were significantly higher in children with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) than those with DLJC (P <0.0001 and 0.004), respectively. About 66.7% of cases had anemia showing a significant difference from controls (P <0.01). Hypoalbuminemia, anemia, elevated C-reactive protein, and left ventricular hypertrophy were the significant risk factors resulting in death (P <0.0001). Although the most common initiating vascular access used for HD patients was a DLJC, the efficiency of dialysis was significantly higher in patients who had AVF. Stature was affected more than weight in HD patients in the study group.

Effect of high-dose Omega 3 on lipid profile and inflammatory markers in chronic hemodialysis children.

Atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and inflammation are important problems in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD). Prevention of CKD patients of CVD can lower the mortality rate in them. Omega 3 may help in the treatment of inflammation and lipid abnormalities in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on chronic HD. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of high-dose Omega 3 on lipid profile and inflammatory markers in ESRD children on chronic HD. This clinical trial was conducted on 49 ESRD children on chronic HD selected from pediatric HD unit of Menoufia University Hospital. The study was conducted for a period of three months. The selected children were supplemented with 2000-mg Omega 3 tablets daily; lipid profile and inflammatory markers were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Supplementation with high-dose Omega 3 resulted in a highly statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, interleukin-6, C- reactive protein levels and a highly statistically significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (P <0.001). The differences between hemoglobin, platelets, iron profile, parathyroid hormone, albumin, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, and efficiency of dialysis before and after Omega 3 supplementation were not statistically significant (P >0.05). Supplementation with highdose Omega 3 caused significant improvement in lipid profile and inflammatory markers of children on chronic HD.