RESUMO
The ability to provide successful rehabilitation in 57 uremic children from a low socioeconomic background was prospectively evaluated by means of assessment of growth and development, incidence of complications, compliance, mortality rate and final outcome. Forty-three patients were on intermittent peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 14 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The overall incidence of peritonitis was 5.6 episodes per patient-year; 41 patients are alive; 12 continue on intermittent dialysis; 16 received a renal allograft and 13 shifted to hemodialysis. Hypervolemia, sepsis due to peritonitis and abandonment of treatment were the main causes of death in 16 children. Malnutrition and non-compliance were the main factors leading to unsatisfactory rehabilitation.