At one time, newborns with diseased or absent kidneys had few options other than adult-sized dialysis machines. Today, aquapheresis therapy is a treatment option to provide renal support for neonates.
In 2020, St. Louis Children’s Hospital began using aquapheresis therapy to care for babies with congenital or acquired renal disorders, one of few centers in the country to offer this advanced treatment.
Dr. Eileen Ciccia, Washington University pediatric nephrologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, joins us to talk about renal disease in newborns, aquapheresis therapy, and its impact on NICU care.
At one time, newborns with diseased or absent kidneys had few options other than adult-sized dialysis machines. Today, aquapheresis therapy is a treatment option to provide renal support for neonates. 
While the coronavirus pandemic spread across the world, information about the impact of COVID-19 and pregnant and breastfeeding women was continuously evolving. And now, with the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, there are many new questions and considerations for Ob/Gyns and healthcare providers to address as they continue to counsel their patients.