DIALYSIS AND RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION OF CHILDREN IN EUROPE, 1974

About 1/3 of all children with end-stage renal failure in Europe were accepted for treatment by regular dialysis or transplantation during 1974. The number of specialized pediatric dialysis centers increased. The number of renal transplants also increased, but fewer living donor grafts and retransplants were performed in 1974. The best survival was again observed on home dialysis. Patient survival after a cadaver graft improved. Children more than 10 yr old appeared to have a better survival on dialysis and a somewhat better graft function than younger patients. Rehabilitation was similar on home dialysis and after transplantation, but full school activity in ordinary school was reported in only 40% of all children on hospital dialysis. Children on hemodialysis tended to dialyze more frequently in 1974, than before, but for fewer hours per week. Hepatitis was still a problem and only a small reduction in the incidence was noted during 1974. Children on dialysis required more blood transfusions than adults. Body growth on hemodialysis was retarded to a similar degree on boys and in girls; 70% of the hemodialyzed and 63% of the transplanted children had a growth velocity below the 3rd percentile. Growth rate was noted to fall after the 1st yr on dialysis.