Study Shows Declining Mortality Rates of Children on Dialysis

Kidney failure, a serious health problem that marked by a decrease in kidney function, is reportedly accountable for a large number of people in the United States who use dialysis as renal replacement therapy, nephrology experts say. While the renal health dysfunction is more likely to develop in adults than younger people, adolescents, children, and even infants are not an exception to the deleterious kidney disease, substantially shortening their life expectancy and hugely affecting their quality of life.

On the bright side, however, a new study reveals findings that may bring a spark of hope to children, adolescents, and young adults battling severe kidney disease through dialysis treatment. A research team, spearheaded by pediatric nephrologist Dr.

Bethany Foster at the Montreal Childrens Hospital in Montreal, reportedly revealed analysis showing that the mortality risk among children, adolescents, and young adults on dialysis for severe cases of kidney disease has taken a substantial decline in recent years, online media reports.

The new study, which was published online in the May issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), reportedly evaluated information from an American database that involved more than 20,000 patients aged 21 years and below who had received dialysis between 1990 and 2010. They reportedly found that mortality risk in younger kidney failure patients on dialysis has significantly reduced by about 20 percent in a five-year interval, which the study authors attribute to "improved pre-dialysis care, advances in dialysis technology and greater experience of clinicians."

Chronic kidney failure, also called chronic kidney disease (CKD), is a condition characterized by an irreversible deterioration of renal function that gradually progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), as was cited by medical journals. A kidney transplant would have been the best treatment for improved quality of life and higher survival rates among patients. However, due to shortage in donor kidneys, patients use dialysis -- a treatment that artificially replaces lost kidney function, in order to survive while awaiting kidney transplant.

While dialysis, as were other treatments, carries its own distinct risks, what has drawn close scrutiny from the public and US Food and Drug Administration are the adverse effects that have been reported to stem from dialysis drug solutions. Some of these dialysis medications, such as GranuFlo and NaturaLyte, have been reportedly tied to potentially irrevocable health risks including

cardiac arrest, and even death, according to previous online media reports. Added information about the potential health risks linked to certain dialysis medications are also featured at dialysisinjuryhelpline.com

Sources: *kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kustat s/ *cdc.gov/features/worldkidneyday/ *health.usnews.com/healthnews/news/articles/2013/05/04/death-ratedropping-for-children-on-dialysis-study *mcgill.ca/channels/news/decreased-riskdeath-children-dialysis-226705 *kidney.org.uk/MedicalInfo/transplant/txwaittime.html

*mayoclinic.com/health/kidneyfailure/DS00682 *medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcar e_services/urinary_bladder_kidney/urogenital_ disorders/overview_urogenital_disorders/end_ stage_renal_disease/Pages/index.aspx *nhs.uk/conditions/Dialysis/Pages/Introduction .aspx