Acute kidney injury in preterm infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit

Background

The factors that contribute to the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) and treatment outcome among prematurely born neonates are not clearly understood.

Methods

This retrospective study included 150 prematurely born neonates. AKI was defined as an increase of serum creatinine levels ≥0.3 mg/dl compared to basal values.

Results

The majority of neonates with AKI (94.8 %) had a body weight <1,500 g. Logistic regression analysis showed that the Apgar score in the 5th minute <5, serum lactate levels >5 on the first day of life, core body temperature <36?ºC on the first day of life, occurrence of sepsis, intracranial hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, as well as a treatment with vancomycin or dopamine were independent risk factors for the development of AKI. After the groups of neonates with and without AKI were adjusted, the calculated risk ratio for a negative outcome of treatment (death) was 2.215 (CI 1.27–3.86) for neonates with AKI. Neonates with AKI had higher serum sodium levels in the third and fourth days of life.

Conclusions

AKI is associated with high mortality in preterm neonates. It is very important to identify, as quickly as possible, all infants who are at high risk of developing AKI.