Pediatric kidney transplantation part 4

Most children with kidney function of less than  15 ml/min/1.73m2 will need help to sustain  life and replace the failed kidney.  It is at this point that a child may need to proceed to either dialysis or transplantation. Usually your pediatric kidney doctor will begin discussions with you about your child's options early in order to prepare in plenty of time for either dialysis or transplantation.

There are two kinds of dialysis:

• Hemodialysis

Most commonly this is done with the help of a hemodialysis machine in a dialysis center, three or four times a week. With a special training this type of dialysis can sometimes be done by the family in child's home

• Peritoneal dialysis

This is done at home by the family, mostly at night  with the help of a peritoneal dialysis machine. This form of dialysis  can also be done manually several times per day