Acute renal failure following wasp sting in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Toxicology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Wasp stings are common in children.
• Severe envenomation can lead to systemic toxicity.
• Acute renal failure is a rare but serious complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence and characteristics of acute renal failure in children following wasp stings.
• To highlight the underlying pathophysiology and clinical presentation.
• To emphasize the importance of early recognition and management by pediatricians.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records of children admitted with wasp stings between 1985 and 2007.
• Review of clinical data, laboratory findings, and treatment outcomes.
• Focus on patients who developed acute renal failure.

Main Results:

• Seven out of 45 pediatric patients developed acute renal failure.
• Common findings included hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and anemia.
• Renal failure lasted 9-15 days, with serum creatinine up to 11.9 mg/dl.
• Six patients required peritoneal dialysis; one patient died from hyperkalemia.

Conclusions:

• Wasp stings can precipitate acute renal failure in children.
• Hemolysis and rhabdomyolysis are key pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Prompt recognition and management are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric patients.