Sonographic determination of the thickness of the peritoneum in healthy children and paediatric patients on CAPD

Background. Prolonged peritoneal dialysis and frequent episodes of peritoni tis lead to structural changes and thickening of the peritoneum. Ultrasonog raphy investigations may provide the opportunity to detect morphological ch anges early, but no systematic investigations have been performed yet. Methods. Normal values of peritoneal thickness were obtained by systematica lly examining 131 healthy children (0-15 years) by ultrasound. Parietal per itoneal thickness was best measured at the sternal-umbical line distal from the xiphoid. Growth charts with 95% intervals were prepared. The data of 2 6 patients with end-stage renal failure (5-18 years) were compared to those of the normal children. Results. The variation coefficient for the consecutive measurements was onl y 5%, interobserver error was approximately 7%. Whereas gender did not have any influence, peritoneal thickness was significantly correlated to age, w eight and most obviously to height (r = 0.81; P < 0.001). Children treated only by haemodialysis had normal values, while an increased thickness, loss of movement, and adhesion of the two peritoneal layers were found in child ren on CAPD. These changes were only noted in patients who had a history of peritonitis. Conclusion. Ultrasound examination is a simple, noninvasive and precise met hod to measure the peritoneal changes in children on CAPD.