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23/05/2014

Dialysis Machine Designed To Treat Babies

Scientists in Italy have designed a dialysis machine to treat babies with kidney failure.

According to a report published in The Lancet, those behind the idea say it could improve treatment. Dialysis machines for adults can cause complications when used on very young children, but it is thought this miniature machine was tested on a newborn baby with multiple organ failure – and whose kidney function was restored after 30 days.

Professor Claudio Ronco, from the International Renal Research Institute at San Bortolo Hospital in Vicenza, is behind the new machine. He designed and developed it to specifically treat babies and small infants weighing between 2kg and 10kg.

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The machine, named cardio-renal pediatric dialysis emergency machine (Carpe Diem), replaces the lost function of the kidneys by removing any excess fluid and urine from the body through blood vessels, the study said. It added that this allows a smaller catheter to be used which could prevent damage to blood vessels in babies.

The first person to be tested on the new machine was a baby born prematurely in August 2013. Weighing just 2.9kg, the baby girl had multiple organ failure following a complicated delivery. Doctors used the new treatment and after more than 20 days of treatment, they were able to discontinue kidney dialysis on the infant. Her organ function was found to be restored and a few weeks later, she was discharged from hospital. The study did add that she does still suffer from significant kidney dysfunction.

Writing in his study in The Lancet, Professor Ronco explained: "A major problem is the potential for errors in ultra-filtration volumes.

"Adult dialysis equipment has a tendency to either withdraw too much fluid from a child, leading to dehydration and loss of blood pressure, or too little fluid, leading to high blood pressure and oedema.

"We hope that our success will encourage the development of other medical technologies (eg catheters, fluids, and monitors) specifically designed for infants and small children."

(JP)

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"Scientists in Italy have designed a dialysis machine to treat babies with kidney failure."