New perspectives for PD in acute renal failure related to new catheter techniques and introduction of APD. 
Acute renal failure remains a major problem in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients.  Although in most handbooks peritoneal dialysis (PD) is still considered to be the first choice for children < 20 kg and there is some evidence that PD may preserve and/or favor recuperation of renal function, most PICU departments are using continuous veno-venous hemofiltration and dialysis or hemodialysis as treatment.  The main reasons for this are workload for the PICU nurses, catheter problems, the risk of peritonitis, and limited ultrafiltration.  In a retrospective study (1992-1995) in 46 patients (age 3 days to 14 years), automated PD (APD) was the initial treatment in 44 patients.  Complications of the Seldinger-placed Cook (pleuropericard) catheter were limited: leakage (1/44); bleeding: n = 0; obstruction or dislocation: n = 4; peritonitis: n = 1 (Candida); ultrafiltration (UF) problems: n = 3.  APD in children with acute renal function (ARF) is a good alternative for continuous veno-venous dialysis.  Placement of a pigtail (Cook) catheter is a quick (10 min), safe procedure, with low leakage risk.  This, together with the low manipulation rate, gives a low peritonitis rate.  The use of the cycler makes frequent changes of small volumes possible, resulting in better clearance, good UF, no interference with hemodynamic or respiratory stability, and a reduced workload.