Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Children: Incidence and Outcomes

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major concern in pediatric critical care, often occurring in conjunction with sepsis. This study aimed to identify the incidence, outcomes, and risk factors for AKI in the context of pediatric sepsis. Methods: This was a bicentric retrospective cohort study conducted at two university hospitals in Saudi Arabia. All patients aged 1 month to 14 years admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) with evidence of sepsis between January 2021 and December 2022 were included. AKI was defined and staged according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from electronic medical records. Results: 309 patients were included, 38 (12.3%) developed stage 1 AKI, 64 (20.7%) developed stage 2 AKI, and 183 (59.2%) developed stage 3 AKI. Patients with sepsis-associated AKI had significantly longer PICU stays and higher mortality rates than those without AKI (p < 0.01). Inflammatory markers and certain medications were associated with increased AKI risk. Factors independently associated with stage 3 AKI include younger age, positive blood culture, gentamycin use, and higher SOFA score. Conclusions: Sepsis-associated AKI is a common and serious complication in critically ill children, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Identification of specific risk factors may facilitate early recognition and targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of AKI in this vulnerable population.