Techniques for use of charcoal hemoperfusion in infants: Experience in two patients

Hemodialysis (HD) is used widely in the management of children with renal failure. The techniques and possible complications of HD treatment of infants and children have been well described. Charcoal hemoperfusion (CH) has received extensive use in adult patients for the adsorption of a variety of exogenous and endogenous intoxicants. Intially, CH resulted in complications such as rhombocytopenia, charcoal embolism, leukopenia, fibrinogenopenia, and hypocalcemia. The incidence of these complications has been reduced markedly by the use of polymer-coated charcoal. There has been, however, little pediatric experience in the use of CH. This paper indicates that the procedure can be safely adapted for use even in the newborn period.