Acute renal failure in an infant with congenital neuroblastoma - successful treatment by hemodialysis.

Acute renal failure developed in an infant aged 30 days during chemotherapy and irradiation for hepatic neuroblastoma (IV-S). Acute hemodialysis via a profunda femoris - long saphenous vein shunt was accomplished on 9 occasions in this 4 kg infant. The complications of septicemia and acute respiratory embarrassment caused by hepatomegaly were treated by appropriate antibiotic treatment, creation of a temporary ventral hernia and assisted ventilation. Careful attention to correct pediatric hemodialysis technique, as described, can permit long-term survival if the underlying disorder is also amenable to treatment.