Disparities in dialysis treatment and outcomes for Dutch and Belgian children with immigrant parents

Pediatr Nephrol. 2012 Aug;27(8):1369-79. doi: 10.1007/s00467-012-2135-7. Epub 2012 Mar 21.

Abstract

Background: In Belgium and the Netherlands, up to 40% of the children on dialysis are children with immigrant parents of non-Western European origin (non-Western). Concerns exist regarding whether these non-Western patients receive the same quality of care as children with parents of Western European origin (Western). We compared initial dialysis, post-initial treatment, and outcomes between non-Western and Western patients on dialysis.

Methods: All children <19 years old on chronic dialysis in the Netherlands and Belgium between September 2007 and May 2011 were included in the study. Non-Western patients were defined as children of whom one or both parents were born in non-Western countries.

Results: Seventy-nine of the 179 included patients (44%) were non-Western children. Compared to Western patients, non-Western patients more often were treated with hemodialysis (HD) instead of peritoneal dialysis (PD) as first dialysis mode (52 vs. 37%, p = 0.046). Before renal transplantation, non-Western patients were on dialysis for a median (range) of 30 (5-99) months, vs. 15 (0-66) months in Western patients (p = 0.007). Renal osteodystrophy was diagnosed in 34% of non-Western vs. 18% of Western patients (p = 0.028). The incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval] for acute peritonitis was 2.44 [1.43-4.17] (p = 0.032) for non-Western compared to Western patients.

Conclusions: There are important disparities between children on chronic dialysis with parents from Western European origin and those from non-Western European origin in the choice of modality, duration, and outcomes of dialysis therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Belgium
  • Child
  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Female
  • Healthcare Disparities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / mortality
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy*
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Parents*
  • Renal Dialysis / methods*
  • Renal Dialysis / mortality*
  • Treatment Outcome