There are an increasing number of babies surviving very serious illness and complicated surgical operations. Babies who are very ill or who have had problems like bleeding may often have problems with their kidney function. These babies might need help with their kidney function using some form of dialysis.

Dialysis removes waste and excess water from the blood. The kidneys would normally do this by making urine. Dialysis is also Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) as it does the job of the kidneys whilst they are not working well. 

There are a number of different dialysis methods used in hospitals at the moment, and the method is decided by the doctor who is looking after each baby.