Pediatric peritoneal dialysis training program and its relationship to peritonitis: a study of the International Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Network

Background The guidelines for training of patients and caregivers to perform home peritoneal dialysis (PD) uniformly include recommendations pertaining to the prevention of peritonitis. The objective of this study conducted by the International Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Network (IPPN) was to investigate the training practices for pediatric PD and to evaluate the impact of these practices on the peritonitis and exit-site infection (ESI) rate. Methods A questionnaire regarding details of the PD program and training practices was distributed to IPPN member centers, while peritonitis and ESI rates were either derived from the IPPN registry or obtained directly from the centers. Poisson univariate and multivariate regression was used to determine the training-related peritonitis and ESI risk factors. Results Sixty-two of 137 centers responded. Information on peritonitis and ESI rates were available from fifty centers. Training was conducted by a PD nurse in 93.5% of centers, most commonly (50%) as an in-hospital program. The median total training time was 24 hours, with a formal assessment conducted in 88.7% and skills demonstration in 71% of centers. Home visits were performed by 58% of centers. Shorter (<20 hours) training duration and lower number of training tools (both p < 0.02) were associated with higher peritonitis rate, after adjustment for proportion of treated infants and income of country of residence. Conclusions An association between training duration and the number of training tools represent potentially modifiable risk factors to reduce peritonitis rates within the pediatric PD population.