Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2026
Identifier
DOI: 10.1007/s00467-026-07455-8; PMCID: PMC13672569
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Infections are a leading cause of hospitalization and death in children receiving maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD). Touch contamination is an established risk factor for development of peritonitis, but data regarding optimal management of touch contamination are limited.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data submitted to the Standardizing Care to Improve Outcomes in Pediatric End Stage Kidney Disease (SCOPE) collaborative between 10/1/2011 and 7/31/2025 to evaluate touch contamination in children. Reported touch contamination events and their management, including administration of prophylactic antibiotics and transfer set changes, were evaluated. Univariate and multivariable generalized linear mixed modeling were used to assess relationships between demographic factors and episodes of touch contamination and between management of touch contamination events and temporally associated peritonitis. We also evaluated the microbiology of touch contamination-associated peritonitis and compared it to peritonitis not associated with touch contamination.
RESULTS: Of 2685 children included, 846 (32%) reported at least one touch contamination. In a multivariable model, younger age and non-Hispanic Black race were associated with increased rates of touch contamination. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics following touch contamination was associated with a lower prevalence of peritonitis (23% vs. 38%). Most episodes of touch contamination-associated peritonitis were Gram-positive (46%) or culture negative (24%).
CONCLUSIONS: Touch contaminations are common in children undergoing maintenance PD. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics following touch contamination is associated with decreased risk of peritonitis.
Journal Title
Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
Volume
41
Issue
12
First Page
4589
Last Page
4596
MeSH Keywords
Peritonitis; Peritoneal Dialysis; Retrospective Studies; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Age Factors; Prevalence; Equipment Contamination; Catheter-Related Infections; Catheters, Indwelling; Humans; Male; Female; Infant; Child, Preschool; Child; Adolescent
PubMed ID
42429968
Keywords
Antibiotic prophylaxis; Children; Maintenance peritoneal dialysis; Peritonitis; Touch contamination
Recommended Citation
Same RG, Grills NK, Dutta S, Neu AM, Warady BA, Begin B. Touch contamination and associated peritonitis in children undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis. Pediatr Nephrol. 2026;41(12):4589-4596. doi:10.1007/s00467-026-07455-8
Comments
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Publisher's Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00467-026-07455-8