Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Intrarenal Injection of Escherichia coli in a Rat Model of Pyelonephritis
Published on: July 18, 2017
Antibiotics-induced acute interstitial nephritis in 6 children
Fotis Papachristou1, Nikoleta Printza, Evagelia Farmaki
11st Department of Pediatrics, Hippokration General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Insights
Antibiotics-induced acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a rare pediatric kidney disease. Early diagnosis and consideration of drug exposure are crucial for managing acute renal failure in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Renal Pathology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antibiotics-induced acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is an uncommon pediatric condition.
- Diagnosis is frequently delayed, despite common antibiotics being implicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report clinical presentation, morphological findings, and outcomes of biopsy-confirmed AIN in children.
- To highlight the importance of considering AIN in pediatric acute renal failure.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 6 pediatric patients with biopsy-proven AIN.
- Analysis of clinical data, renal function, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Symptoms appeared 2-4 weeks post-antibiotic therapy (beta-lactams or gentamicin).
- All patients presented with acute renal failure and fever; glomerular filtration rate was reduced.
- Five of six patients achieved full renal recovery; one had persistent impairment.
Conclusions:
- AIN should be suspected in pediatric acute renal failure, especially after excluding other causes and with a history of drug exposure.
- Prompt recognition and management can lead to favorable outcomes in most cases.
Introduction:
Antibiotics-induced acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a rare disorder in children, and the diagnosis is often delayed. However, many commonly prescribed antibiotics seem to be implicated.
Patients And Methods:
We reviewed the medical records of 6 children, age range from 10 months to 14 years, with biopsy-confirmed antibiotics-induced AIN. Clinical presentation, morphological findings, and outcomes are reported.
Results:
Symptoms of AIN started 2-4 weeks after antimicrobial therapy with beta-lactam antibiotics in 5 children and with gentamicin in 1 child. All patients presented with acute renal failure and fever. The glomerular filtration rate was dramatically reduced in 2 cases and mildly reduced in 4 patients. Two of our patients had supportive treatment, 2 received corticosteroid therapy, and 2 children remained under peritoneal dialysis for 12 and 22 days, respectively. Five patients had a full recovery of their renal function, and 1 child, 2 years later, still presented impairment of the renal function.
Conclusion:
AIN should be considered in case of acute renal failure in children, mostly when other common causes have been excluded, and there is a history of drug exposure.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
01:30Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:22Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents