Dialysis at the Children's Hospital : How does it work?

At the Children's Hospital (HUDERF), medical teams provide personalized care and a reassuring environment for children undergoing this treatment. Let's take a closer look at how a dialysis session unfolds.

The Kidneys and Their Essential Roles

The kidneys perform three main functions:

• Water Regulation: They control the amount of water in the body.
• Waste Elimination: They filter the blood and remove toxins through urine.
• Hormone Production: They produce essential hormones that help regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production.

Kidney Failure: When the Kidneys Stop Working

When a child suffers from kidney failure, their kidneys can no longer filter blood efficiently. This leads to a buildup of waste and fluid in the body, which can be harmful to their health.

Fortunately, dialysis can temporarily replace kidney function by cleansing the blood and removing excess fluid.

Hemodialysis: An Artificial Kidney to Filter the Blood

Hemodialysis is a treatment that uses a machine to purify the blood, taking over the role of the kidneys when they can no longer function properly.

How Does It Work?

For 3 to 4 hours, the blood is filtered through a machine.

• A small amount of blood flows through tubes connected to an artificial kidney (dialyzer).
• The red tube (arterial line) sends blood to the filter.
• The dialyzer removes toxins and excess water.
• The blue tube (venous line) returns the clean blood to the body.
• This process repeats until the blood is sufficiently purified.

The Catheter: Access to Dialysis

To allow blood circulation between the body and the machine, a catheter is placed.

What is a catheter?

• It’s a small flexible tube inserted into a vein, often in the neck (jugular vein).
• It is placed under general anesthesia in the operating room.
• It is covered with a sterile dressing to prevent infection.
• After each dialysis session, the nurse cleans the catheter and applies a fresh dressing.

A Dialysis Session at HUDERF

Each session follows a precise protocol to ensure the child’s safety and comfort.

Upon Arrival

• You have a locker to store your belongings.
• It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes (jogging pants, t-shirt).
• The medical team welcomes you and ensures everything is ready.

Before the Session

• Weigh-in: The nurse weighs you to determine how much water to remove.
• Mask: You wear a mask to prevent infections.
• Blood Pressure: It is measured to ensure everything is stable.
• Connection to the Machine: The nurse connects the catheter to the dialysis tubes.
• You settle in comfortably on your bed or chair.

During the Session (3 to 4 hours)

You can:

• Read a book or play a game.
• Draw or do a quiet activity.

The medical team:

• Monitors your blood pressure regularly.
• Controls the amount of water removed.
• Checks that the machine is working properly.

At the End of the Session

• The nurse disconnects you from the machine.
• Your blood pressure is measured one last time.
• You are weighed again to check if the excess water has been removed.
• You can store your belongings and go home or back to school.

Medical Exams and Precautions

Blood Culture

A blood sample is taken to check for the presence of microbes in the bloodstream.

Heparinization

Heparin is a medication injected into the tubes to prevent blood from clotting during dialysis.

A Team That Cares for Children and Families

At HUDERF, every dialysis session is supervised by a caring and attentive team dedicated to ensuring the comfort and safety of children. Nurses, doctors, and psychologists are there to answer questions and support each child throughout their treatment.

Even though dialysis is a regular treatment, everything is done to make the experience as gentle and pleasant as possible.

💙 You are in good hands!

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