LAUSR

Introduction: Haemodialysis (HD) is a life saving procedure whose benefits cannot be overemphasized. Its use in the paediatric age group is becoming more popular. The indications mainly include acute kidney injury (AKI) from any aetiology and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Paediatric HD is almost unavailable in most parts of Nigeria, and where available, access is limited by cost, consumables and skilled manpower. We present our HD experience over a five year period in a busy paediatric nephrology unit of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of records from June 2016 to June 2021 assessing the indications for dialysis, complications and estimated blood loss. Results: In all, 62 patients had HD in the study period. Age range was 3 to 18 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5. There was a linear increase in the number of patients that had HD from 2016 to 2019 ( 9,11,14,16, respectively). The lowest number of patients were seen between 2020 and June 2021. The commonest indication for HD was AKI secondary to sepsis (64.5%). Others include CKD secondary to a primary renal disease, CKD secondary to lupus nephritis, end stage renal disease, AKI secondary to severe malaria, AKI secondary to nephrotic syndrome and AKI secondary to acute glomerulonephritis ( 9.7%, 9.7%, 8.1%, 3.2%, 3.2%, and 1.6% ). Majority of patients with AKI that had HD required less than three sessions and recovered completely. The average estimated blood loss is about 40mls. The commonest complication of HD reported is dialysis dysequilibrum syndrome. Conclusions: Paediatric HD in our centre has greatly contributed in reducing morbidity and mortality especially with AKI. However the reduction in the number of cases from 2020 till June 2021 could be attributed to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic which has greatly reduced presentation in the hospital. No conflict of interest