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. 
From the accidental ingestion of grandma’s blood pressure medication to novel drug exposures in adolescents, the Washington University toxicology service cared for many patients at the bedside in 2020. Although many patients with an acute ingestion may require referral to a healthcare facility, there are many toxic exposures including exposure to lead which can be effectively managed in the outpatient setting in the majority of cases. To better treat kids with a toxic exposure, Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital established the Pediatric Toxicology and Lead Clinic in September 2020.