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.

Problems related to the material

Discharge, redness, heat, swelling, bad odor and/or pain around the catheter insertion site

Bump or red line near the catheter insertion site with redness, swelling, pain or tenderness and/or discharge

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

Dislodgement of the catheter; 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

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

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; Dark eyes

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)

For specific advice on your child or any other questions, do not hesitate to contact your child’s healthcare team.

When to consult your healthcare team

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

General condition

  • Symptoms of dehydration
  • Symptoms of fluid overload
  • Difficulty controlling blood pressure
  • Diarrhea
  • Infection
  • Fever (≥ 38⁰C rectal or ≥ 37.5⁰C oral or ≥ 37.5⁰C axilla)
  • Persistent problems (eg, shoulder pain, abdominal cramps during drainage, constipation, itching, restless legs)

Your child’s healthcare team will use your child’s regular appointments to verify the proper functioning of the catheter and peritoneal dialysis equipment and will make adjustments to the care as required.

Do not hesitate to contact your healthcare team with any specific questions concerning your child.