WARNING: The information in this section is meant as a general guide for parents and caregivers of children with certain problems related to peritoneal dialysis. It is not intended to replace the recommendations of your child’s healthcare team.

Discuss your child’s unique needs with the healthcare team, including WHO and WHEN to contact when problems arise.

Fever with or without general malaise: ≥ 38⁰C rectal or ≥ 37.5⁰C buccal or ≥ 37.5⁰C armpit

General irritability, poor appetite, fatigue or wanting to sleep more than usual (lethargy)

One and/or the other of these symptoms: rapid weight loss compared to your child's dry weight - dizziness - less saliva, dry lips - low blood pressure - orthostatic low blood pressure (low blood pressure and increased pulse) when the child moves from a lying to a sitting position) - increased pulse rate - muscle cramps, especially in the legs - weakness

One and/or the other of these symptoms: rapid increase in weight compared to your child's dry weight - swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, around the eyes and/or face - hypertension (high blood pressure) - difficulty breathing - shortness of breath - low urine output

Problems related to the material

Discharge, redness, heat, swelling, bad odor and/or pain around the catheter insertion site with/without fever (≥ 38⁰C rectal or ≥ 37.5⁰C oral or ≥ 37.5⁰C armpit)

Bump or red line near the catheter insertion site with redness, swelling, pain or tenderness and/or discharge with/without fever (≥ 38⁰C rectal or ≥ 37.5⁰C oral or ≥ 37.5⁰C armpit)

Wet dressing

Disconnection between patient line and extension during dialysis

Disconnection between MiniCap disconnecting cap and extension tubing

Disconnection between the extension and the catheter

Contamination of the extension tip during dialysis connection

Drainage from the bag during the dialysis session

Cycler alarms

Catheter cuff visible outside the insertion site

Problems related to the peritoneal dialysis session or the child's general condition

Cloudy effluent (as if milk had been added) with any of these symptoms: Constant pain in the belly - Chills - Fever (≥ 38⁰C rectal or ≥ 37.5⁰C oral or ≥ 37.5⁰C axilla) - Nausea - Vomiting - Decreased effluent drainage - Headache - Loss of appetite - Fatigue - Abdominal muscle cramps or spasms (stiffness, pain)

Filaments (threads) or small white pieces in the effluent

Pink or red effluent

Slow or blocked infusion of the dialysate

Decrease in ultrafiltration/decreased effluent

Abdominal cramps during drainage

Constipation

One and/or the other of these symptoms: fatigue - muscle weakness - decreased energy - increased sleep

Shoulder pain

Itching

Diarrhea

Restless legs (need to move the legs at night or while lying down)

Do not hesitate to refer to your child’s healthcare team for any questions or for specific advice related to your child’s condition.

When to consult your healthcare team

General state of healthcondition

When your child has any of the following symptoms:

  • Fever (≥ 38oC rectal or ≥ 37.5oC oral or ≥ 37.5oC armpit)
  • General irritability, poor appetite, fatigue or wanting to sleep more than usual (lethargy)
  • Signs and/or symptoms of dehydration:
    • Rapid weight loss compared to child’s dry weight
    • Dizziness
    • Less saliva, dry lips
    • Low blood pressure (Hypotension)
    • Orthostatic low blood pressure
    • Increased heart rate
    • Muscle cramps, especially in the legs
    • Weakness
  • Symptoms of fluid overload:
    • Rapid increase in weight compared to child’s dry weight
    • Swelling of the hands, ankles and feet
    • Swelling around the eyes and/or face
    • High blood pressure (Hypertension)
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Shortness of breath
    • Low urine output
  • Difficulty controlling blood pressure
  • More frequent and/or larger volume of stools (diarrhea)
  • Infection
  • Persistent problems (eg, shoulder pain, abdominal cramps during drainage, constipation, itching, restless legs)

Peritoneal catheter

  • Discharge, redness, heat, swelling, bad odor and/or pain around the catheter insertion site
  • Bump or red line near the catheter insertion site (on the skin covering the catheter tunnel) with redness, swelling, pain or tenderness and/or discharge
  • Leakage at the catheter insertion site
  • Catheter breakage
  • Visible external catheter cuff (displacement of the catheter)

Equipment for peritoneal dialysis

  • Partial or complete disconnection between the extension and the catheter
  • Partial or complete disconnection between patient line and extension tubing during dialysis
  • Disconnection between MiniCap disconnect cap and extension tubing
  • Contamination of extension tip during dialysis preparation
  • Suspected contamination (eg, during connection, disconnection, medication preparation, etc.)
  • Problem with the cycler alarm that you are unable to resolve
  • Leaking out of the bag during the dialysis session

Peritoneal dialysis sessions

  • Pink or red effluent
  • White filaments or small pieces in the effluent
  • Cloudy effluent
  • Decrease in ultrafiltration/decreased effluent
  • Frequent cycler alarms during dialysis treatment
  • Increase or decrease in weight relative to child’s dry weight, as determined by your healthcare team

Your child’s healthcare team will take the opportunity during your child’s follow-up appointments to review your child’s care and equipment.  Adjustments will be made as required. 

Do not hesitate to refer to your child’s healthcare team for any questions or for specific advice related to your child’s condition.