Our Experience with Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Objective: The use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) has increased in recent years. In this study, we retrospectively report and discuss therapeutic plasmapheresis management in the intensive care unit of a children’s hospital. Material and Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of the patients who were subjected to TPE between 1 January 2016 and 1 June 2018 were obtained from the hospital information system and medical records. Results: A total of 190 sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange was performed on 43 patients (Male:Female ratio of 1:1.26). The median age of the patients was 99 months (range 6-214 months). The most common indication was sepsis-related multiple organ failure (n:23, 53.5%). All procedures were conducted using the cell-separator centrifugal method. The ratio of complications during manipulations was 5.7%. No life-threatening complication associated with the therapeutic plasma exchange procedure was observed. The outcome of treatment was complete recovery in 38 (88.4%) patients. Conclusion: Therapeutic plasma exchange can be used as an important treatment method in critically ill patients in pediatric intensive care units. The procedure can be safely performed in children