The 1997 Report of the Japanese National Registry Data on Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Objective: We have collected data on pediatric patients less than 16 years of age from the National Registry of Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis (PD). We present our experience with this population.

Design: The database details the patient numbers, age, outcome, cause of death, reason for terminating PD therapy, type of PD therapy, peritonitis, and catheter survival.

Patients: Of 807 patients, 70 patients (8.7%) were under 1 year of age, and 268 patients (33.2%) were under 6 years of age, clearly indicating that PD was the treatment of choice in young children. The duration on PD was 5 years or more in 200 patients (24.8%), which showed an increase in long-term PD patients from 11% in 1991. Patients on automated PD (APD) increased to 75% in 1997 from 9% in 1991.

Results: The outcomes for the total patient population of 807 as of the end of 1997 is: 253 patients (31.4%) were being successfully treated with PD, 87 patients (10.8%) died, 238 patients (29.5%) received a kidney transplant, and 121 (15.0%) were transferred to hemodialysis. The patient survival rate was 91% in 3 years and 86% in 5 years. The technique survival rate was 83% in 3 years and 71% in 5 years. The rate of peritonitis was 1 episode per 30 patient-months. The mean catheter duration was 2.25 years.

Conclusion: The patient and technique survival rates, the peritonitis rate, and the catheter survival improved recently. However, these data were worse in younger children (less than 6 years of age), indicating that extra-careful management is needed for this young age group.