The Effect of Changes in Dialysate Volume on Glucose and Urea Equilibration

Objectives To determine the effect of changing dialysate volume on urea and glucoseequilibration curves and to determine, if dialysate volume is prescribed on the basis of body surface area, whether equilibration curves will be consistent in patients of different sizes and ages.Design A prospective study wherein children with acute or chronic renal failure had peritoneal equilibration studies done with dwell volumes of 30 mL/kg, 40 mL/kg, and 1200 mL/m2.Patient Population Twenty-two children: 7 under 3 years of age; 8 between 3 and 10 years of age; 7 older than 10 years of age.Statistics Student's t-test.Results Urea and glucose equilibrated rapidly at dwell volumes of 30 mL/kg, slower at dwell volumes of 40 mL/kg, and slowest at dwell volumes of 1200 mL/m2. Equilibration curves were similar in children of different ages when dialysate volumes of 1200 mL/m2 were infused.Conclusion Dialysate volumes of 1200 mL/m2 should be used when equilibration studies are being done to compare individuals of different ages and sizes.