[Difficulties experienced by children/adolescents with chronic kidney disease and by their families].

INTRODUCTION This article assesses one of the objectives of a larger study about home peritoneal dialysis (PD) in children/adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHOD Descriptive study carried out on 30 children/adolescents with CKD cared for at the Hospital das Clínicas of the UFMG from March 2004 to May 2006. A questionnaire was applied to their caregivers about the reactions and difficulties experienced by those patients and their families during dialysis programs. RESULTS Their major complaints related to the limitations caused by dialysis to the patients'; and caregivers'; lives and to peritoneal dialysis itself. CONCLUSION Knowledge about the reality experienced by children/adolescents with CKD and their families can promote actions and measures to improve the quality of life of all involved and consequently contribute to the success of the dialysis technique.