NEONATAL ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
M Kimovska Hristova
R. Muratovska
T. Voinovska
S. Neskova
Lj. Kojic
V. Timovski
DOI
10.1515/jpm-2017-2008
Abstract
Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is serious clinical problem in newborns in the neonatal
intensive care unit (NICU). Predisposing factors for AKI in neonatal age are: certain clinical
conditions (asphyxia, prematurity, sepsis, and meconium plug syndrome), therapeutic interventions
and other nephrotoxic drugs.The aim of the study were to present the epidemiological and clinical
characteristics of neonatal acute kidney injury in intensive care unit.
Subjects and Methods: The study was designed as a prospective, clinical, epidemiological
investigation conducted in the period of 3 years, which included 100 newborns hospitalized in NICU
of University Children’s Hospital. (50 with AKI and 50 without AKI). Мedical data records of
admitted neonates with AKI were analyzed. The material was statistically processed using methods
of descriptive statistics.
Results: The estimated prevalence of AKI in neonates was 6.4%, according to the standard
definition, while the prevalence of neonatal AKI according to RIFLE classification was 8.7%.
According to pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to kidney injury, prerenal AKI prevailed and it was
registered in 78% of male newborns with neoliguric type of AKI. Perinatal asphyxia was a common
predisposing factor associated to neonatal kidney injury and it was found in 30% of the examined
newborns, being predominant in male infants and born with a low Apgar score in the fifth minute of
their life. There was a significant association between the occurrence of AKI and mechanical
ventilation and aminoglycoside therapy. The mortality rate was 32% and was significantly higher in
the group of newborns with congenital heart diseases.
Conclusion: Acute kidney injury is a life threatening condition. It is an independent contributor to
mortality. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of acute kidney injury in critically ill
newborns, improves the outcome and prognosis.
intensive care unit (NICU). Predisposing factors for AKI in neonatal age are: certain clinical
conditions (asphyxia, prematurity, sepsis, and meconium plug syndrome), therapeutic interventions
and other nephrotoxic drugs.The aim of the study were to present the epidemiological and clinical
characteristics of neonatal acute kidney injury in intensive care unit.
Subjects and Methods: The study was designed as a prospective, clinical, epidemiological
investigation conducted in the period of 3 years, which included 100 newborns hospitalized in NICU
of University Children’s Hospital. (50 with AKI and 50 without AKI). Мedical data records of
admitted neonates with AKI were analyzed. The material was statistically processed using methods
of descriptive statistics.
Results: The estimated prevalence of AKI in neonates was 6.4%, according to the standard
definition, while the prevalence of neonatal AKI according to RIFLE classification was 8.7%.
According to pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to kidney injury, prerenal AKI prevailed and it was
registered in 78% of male newborns with neoliguric type of AKI. Perinatal asphyxia was a common
predisposing factor associated to neonatal kidney injury and it was found in 30% of the examined
newborns, being predominant in male infants and born with a low Apgar score in the fifth minute of
their life. There was a significant association between the occurrence of AKI and mechanical
ventilation and aminoglycoside therapy. The mortality rate was 32% and was significantly higher in
the group of newborns with congenital heart diseases.
Conclusion: Acute kidney injury is a life threatening condition. It is an independent contributor to
mortality. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of acute kidney injury in critically ill
newborns, improves the outcome and prognosis.