Comparison of chronic peritoneal dialysis outcomes in children with and without spina bifida

This study was designed to compare chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) long-term outcomes (patient and technique survival, incidence of peritonitis, and overall average death outcomes) between seven patients with lumbar spina bifida (SB) and 20 controls without SB. Both groups were matched for potentially outcome-confounding factors: gender, and socioeconomic status (SES). SES was established using modified Graffar's method. No significant differences were found in CPD outcomes. The incidence of peritonitis was one episode per 17.6 and 10.3 months in SB patients and controls, respectively (p=0.5). Overall patient survival at 5 years was 86% and 73% in SB patients and controls, respectively (p=0.55). Overall average death rate between SB and control patients was 47.6/1,000 and 79.4/1,000 patient years, respectively (p=0.63). Overall technique survival at 5 years was 83% and 73% in SB patients and controls, respectively (p=0.84). There were no cases of retrograde brain ventricular infection secondary to PD-related peritonitis. We conclude that SB is not a risk factor for CPD, and therefore, it is an effective renal replacement alternative in children with SB.