Involves the use of a machine to clean waste products from the bloodstream if the kidneys are severely damaged or have failed

Blood via tubes to an artificial kidney in the machine; waste products and excess fluid removed from the body

Purified blood then flowing back to the body through another set of tubes

To clean waste products from the bloodstream if the kidneys are severely damaged or have failed

Weigh the child and assess his vital signs before beginning hemodialysis.

Children on hemodialysis may have a double-lumen central catheter in place in their chest to serve as a site for blood removal.

Children needing dialysis long-term may have a subcutaneous graft, anastomosing a vein and an artery (an AV graft). This reduces the risk of infection, but means that the child will need two venipunctures each time dialysis is performed. EMLA cream should be used to reduce the discomfort of this necessity.