Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis [HEE-moh-dahy-al-uh-sis]) is a treatment for kidney failure. It uses a machine that filters and cleans the blood outside of the body.

This treatment requires a minor surgery weeks before your treatments begin to adapt a blood vessel in the arm or neck for dialysis.

A hemodialysis machine uses a man-made membrane, called a dialyzer [die-UH-lies-er] to remove extra fluid and waste from the blood.

Hemodialysis is usually used to treat children and adults that have kidney failure. The kidneys help remove waste from the body. When the kidneys stop working, or don’t work as well, waste can sometimes build up in the body. When waste builds up in the body, it can make a person very sick, and even lead to death if it goes for too long without treatment.

Hemodialysis acts like the kidneys and helps clean the blood by removing waste. It can also help get rid of any extra fluid in the blood.

Side effects of hemodialysis may include:

• Anemia [uh-NEE-me-uh], which is where your child doesn’t have enough red blood cells
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty sleeping
• Cramps
• High blood potassium
• Depression
• Itchy or dry skin
• Inflammation, especially in the membrane around the heart
• Muscle soreness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Faintness or dizziness
• Lack of appetite
• Feeling washed out or drained
• Numbness in hands or feet
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Problems with the access site

Your care team will help you manage any side effects your child might experience.

Hemodialysis can be a lifesaver for your child’s by cleaning waste from their blood. More frequent hemodialysis sessions that are shorter in length can also help reduce side effects.

Your child’s doctor will help you and your child prepare for hemodialysis treatment and manage side effects.

Hemodialysis acts like the kidneys and will help clean the blood by removing waste. It can also help get rid of any extra fluid in the blood.

Hemodialysis uses a machine that acts like your child’s kidney called a dialyzer, which is also known as an artificial kidney. Your doctor performs an additional procedure before your child’s dialysis to set up access to your child’s blood. This is usually done in your child’s arm or neck.

The machine will remove your child’s blood from their body very slowly. At any one time, your child will have very little blood outside of their body. While the blood is out of the body, the machine will clean it much like the kidneys would do if they were working right. The clean blood is then put back into your child’s body. Each dialysis treatment can take up to 4 hours, and will need to be done about 3 times a week. Your child’s doctor will work with you to set up the best schedule for your child’s health.

Dialysis is an ongoing procedure and will need to be repeated per your child’s doctor’s instructions. Your child’s doctor will do regular testing to make sure the dialysis is working correctly.

Dialysis is an ongoing procedure that needs to be done according to the schedule your doctor sets up. Missing dialysis treatments can make your child very ill and can even lead to death. Your child’s doctor will work with you to create a care plan designed to help your child get the best effects from treatment and to minimize any side effects.

Hemodialysis [HE-mo-DIE-al-uh-sis] is 1 of 2 different types of dialysis that may be recommended for your child. Both types remove waste from the body when the kidney cannot. Hemodialysis uses a machine and cleans the blood outside of the body. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum, and a solution called dialysate to remove waste from the body. Learn more about hemodialysis.