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The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients' characteristics treated with acute peritoneal dialysis (PD) and their risk factors for mortality. We also wanted to share our experience of the application of PD in neonates who required less than 60 mL of dwell volume and their PD-related problems, as well as special solutions for these problems. This study included 27 infants treated in our NICU between February 2008 and December 2011. We retrospectively analyzed these patients' records. The percutaneous PD catheter was placed by us. PD procedure was performed either by manual technique or automated PD. Statistical evaluation was performed by using χ(2)-tests and Student's t-tests. In these 27 neonates, the average gestational age and birth weight were 35.18 ± 4.02 weeks and 2534.62 ± 897.41 g, respectively. The mean PD duration time was 6.11 ± 6.30 days. Of these, 10 patients were treated by manual technique, whereas 17 patients were treated with automated system. Among 27 neonates, 16 patients died. Overall mortality rate was 59.25%. PD-related complications were seen in 25.92% of patients. In conclusion, PD application is less effective and troublesome for low-birth-weight infants. Each center should create its own solutions to accommodate problematic patients in PD treatment to improve the outcome in this special population.

This study compares 2 sampling methods for urine cultures in young infants. We analyzed data on urine samples obtained from 83 infants using 2 sources of urine: suprapubic bladder aspiration (SPA) and bladder catheterization. All specimens were subjected to both urinalysis and culture, and the results compared. Eighty-three infants with positive urine culture results obtained by bladder catheterization were subjected to SPA. Of these, only 24 (28.9%) and 20 (24%) yielded positive urine culture and abnormal urinalysis data, respectively. Samples obtained via catheterization had a high false-positive rate (71.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of urinalysis were 66.7% (95% CI, 44.68% to 84.33%) and 93.22% (95% CI, 83.53% to 98.08%), respectively. In infants younger than 12 months, SPA is the best method to avoid bacterial contamination, showing better results than transurethral catheterization.

It is well known that patients with solitary kidneys (SKs) are at risk of hypertension (HT), proteinuria, and glomerulosclerosis due to their low number of nephrons. 1-4 They tend to have higher levels of HT-associated end-organ damage markers, such as left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and microalbuminuria. 5 Congenital SKs (CSKs) or acquired SKs (ASKs) have different effects on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and blood pressure (BP).

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