Acute peritoneal dialysis in African pediatric area experience of pediatric nephrology unit of Yopougon University Hospital (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire).

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a diagnostic emergency threatening patients in a major way. Pediatric renal extra purification methods are limited in African countries due to the nonavailability of resources. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) seems to be the modality that is the most practiced for children with acute renal failure (ARF).

Methodology: We conducted a retrospective study on 5 years of records of children from 1 month to 15 years who have suffered an ARF and benefited from PD while being treated at the pediatric nephrology unit of the Chu of Yopougon. ARF is defined as the condition that exists when the serum creatinine level is high or equal to 200 µmol/l outside any underlying uropathies.

Results: Out of the hospitalized 88 children for AKI, 33 were on PD. Twenty-two children have been on dialysis while 9 children had to discontinue treatment due to financial problems. The sex ratio was 0.46 and the average age was 8.1. The etiologies of the AKI were predominantly glomerular diseases (45%), malaria (31.8%), and secondary interstitial nephritis of toxic origin. The indications of the PD are anuria (31%), hyperkalemia (18%), acute edema of lung (13%), and hyperuremia (13%). Eight children had automated peritoneal dialysis, 02 children underwent manual PD, and 9 children had both methods of treatment. We recorded 31 mechanical complications and 10 infections. While 8 children died, 10 recovered from AKI.

Conclusion: Trained surgical medical personnel and favorable economic statuses of patients are the factors that will determine the success of PD in our country.