Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Children

Continuous renal replacement (CRRT) therapies are a valuable addition to the dialytic armamentarium, and that, through gentler fluid removal and solute clearance, are better tolerated in critically ill children who are in need of dialysis. CRRT is technically demanding and resource intensive, and its use can be associated with many complications. There are many different modalities of CRRT, each of which employ varying combinations of convective and diffuse solute removal and ultrafiltration. CRRT is performed using specialized devices with their own unique dialysis filters and options for different circuit anticoagulation modalities. Because of the complexities inherent in the choice of CRRT and the monitoring involved, CRRT must be performed an intensive care unit setting, using a multidisciplinary team approach.