Epidemiology of chronic dialysis treatment among children and adolescents in a capital of Northeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION

Information about the clinical and epidemiological profile of children and adolescents undergoing chronic dialysis in Brazil is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the pediatric population undergoing chronic outpatient dialysis treatment in a capital city in Northeastern Brazil.

METHODS

This is a descriptive, observational, and retrospective study whose population consisted of all children and adolescents undergoing chronic outpatient dialysis treatment in São Luís, capital of the state of Maranhão, Brazil, in 2023.

RESULTS

Thirty-two children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were undergoing dialysis treatment during this period, the majority (56.25%) being male. The mean age was 11.31 years (± 3.56). Regarding ethnicity, non-white individuals predominated (71.9%). The renal replacement therapy (RRT) modality was exclusively hemodialysis (HD), and the most commonly used vascular access at the end of the follow-up period was arteriovenous fistula (AVF) (56.2%). Regarding the underlying disease, 35% had an unknown etiology. There were nine transplants during the period, all from deceased donors. At that time, there was virtually universal access to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and drugs for the prevention and treatment of bone mineral metabolic disorders.

CONCLUSION

The high rate of unknown underlying disease and the exclusive use of HD as the RRT modality, rather than peritoneal dialysis, reflect diagnostic, therapeutic, and structural challenges. This scenario highlights the need for better planning of public policies aimed at managing pediatric CKD in the region.