Continuous hemodialysis therapy for an extremely low-birthweight infant with hyperammonemia

Abstract

Hyperammonemia of newborns should be treated promptly, and the outcome depends on the rapid elimination of excessive plasma ammonia. We encountered a case of transient hyperammonemia in an extremely low-birthweight infant whose plasma ammonia decreased sufficiently after continuous hemodialysis therapy. It seems that continuous hemodialysis therapy using the peripheral artery and umbilical vein is useful for hyperammonemia of extremely low-birthweight infants; however, there are several problems to consider due to the immaturity of these infants. © 2013 Japan Pediatric Society.