Incidence of acute kidney injury in hospitalized children

To determine the incidence and outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients.

Prospective, observational.

Tertiary care center in North India.

Inpatients, 1 month to 18 yrs.

None.

Incidence of AKI based on the serum creatinine criteria proposed by the AKI Network.

During February to September 2008, thirty nine of 108 (36.1%) critically ill patients and 34 of 378 (9.0%) patients who were not critically ill developed AKI (P<0.001); the respective incidence densities were 45.1 and 11.7 cases/1000 patient days, respectively. The maximal stage of AKI was stage 1 in 48 (65.8%) patients, stage 2 in 13 (17.8%) and stage 3 in 12 (16.4%) patients; 11 (15.1%) required dialysis. Patients with AKI had a significantly longer duration of hospital stay (9 days vs 7 days, P<0.02) and higher mortality (37% vs 8.7%; hazard ratio, HR 2.73; 95% CI 1.64, 4.54). Independent risk factors for AKI were young age (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.83, 0.95), shock (HR 2.65; 95% CI 1.32, 5.31), sepsis (HR 3.64; 95% CI 2.20, 6.01), and need for mechanical ventilation (2.18; 95% CI 1.12, 4.26). Compared to patients without AKI, the mortality was higher for AKI stage 2 (HR 5.18; 95% CI 2.59, 10.38) and stage 3 (HR 4.34; 95% CI 2.06, 9.16). Shock was an independent risk factor for mortality (HR 10.7; 95% CI 4.96, 22.98).

AKI is common in critically ill children, especially younger patients with septicemia and shock, and results in increased hospital stay and high mortality.