A 17-year-old on home peritoneal dialysis has new-onset fever and abdominal pain.

Peritonitis is acommon and serious complicationof peritoneal dialysis. It presents withfever, abdominal pain, and cloudy effluent. A WBC >100/mcL in the dialysate confirmsinfection. Empiricbroad-spectrum IV or intraperitoneal antibioticsshould be started immediately to prevent progression to sepsis.

“A peritoneal fluid WBC >100 with symptoms mandates initiation of antibiotics due to high suspicion for peritonitis in pediatric dialysis patients.”

(Referenced from CCRN Pediatric – Direct Care: Renal, Dialysis and Peritonitis Management)