Severe reversible renal failure due to naproxen-associated acute interstitial nephritis

Acute interstitial nephritis is uncommon in children and has very rarely been described with naproxen treatment. We report the occurrence of severe acute renal failure in a 10-year-old girl with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis after 1 month of naproxen therapy. Renal biopsy showed severe acute interstitial nephritis. The patient recovered completely after discontinuation of naproxen and administration of methylprednisolone. A review of the literature regarding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated acute interstitial nephritis is provided.

In an era of increasing popularity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for use in children, paediatricians should be aware of the potential renal complications of this class of drugs.