Acute renal failure amongst children in a tropical environment

The pathogenetic factors leading to acute renal failure (ARF) in 223 children between the ages of 20 days and 14 years were studied. Diarrhoeal diseases were responsible for ARF in 49.8%, acute glomerulonephritis in 34.1%, drug induced intravascular hemolysis in glucose -6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in 4.5%, snake bite in 4%, hemolytic uremic syndrome in 2.2%, and miscellaneous causes in 5.4%. Dialysis was instituted in 178 children and the others were treated conservatively. Renal histology in 39 out of 76 children who presented with an acute nephritic illness revealed acute endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis in 27 and crescentic glomerulonephritis in 12. The histology in 79 out of 147 remaining patients showed acute tubular necrosis in 64, acute cortical necrosis in 13, and acute interstitial nephritis in 2. Overall mortality was 27.4%. This high incidence of ARF due to infective diarrhoeas and dysentery reflects poor socio-economic and hygienic conditions, inadequate facilities in rural areas, delays in seeking medical advice, and lack of knowledge about fluid and electrolyte therapy amongst the staff.