Apheresis Therapy in Children: an Overview of Key Technical Aspects and a Review of Experience in Pediatric Renal Disease

Although there is less experience with its use in children than adults, apheresis can be a life-saving treatment modality in certain pediatric diseases. With attention to specific technical aspects of the treatment, especially circuit volume, apheresis can be safely performed in children of any age or size. Even in pediatric diseases where it is recognized as an important part of therapy, apheresis is unfortunately still underutilized in North America and there needs to be increased awareness of its role and its availability within the pediatric community. Apheresis has been used particularly in children with certain renal diseases, notably ANCA-associated nephritis, anti-GBM disease, and atypical HUS. In addition, it can improve outcomes in transplantation of children with FSGS and can be part of a pre-transplant strategy for children who are highly sensitized and at high risk for graft failure.