Prevalence and Associated Explanatory Factors for Augmented Renal Clearance in Early Sepsis: Single-Center, Retrospective PICU Cohort in China, 2022-2023.

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to 1) evaluate the prevalence of augmented renal clearance (ARC) in pediatric sepsis patients; 2) analyze potential explanatory factors associated with ARC out of hemodynamic, oxygenation, and inflammatory parameters; and 3) assess ARC outcomes.

Design: Retrospective, single-center, cohort from January 2022 to June 2023.

Setting: PICU at a tertiary care hospital in China.

Patients: Children 28 days to 16 years of age admitted with sepsis defined using Phoenix Sepsis Criteria.

Interventions: None.

Measurements and main results: Among 69 patients, 34 (49.3%) were categorized as having ARC. Designation as having ARC, vs. not, was associated with being younger (median 2.4 vs. 7.2 years, p < 0.001), hemodynamic and intrarenal flow changes, and higher C-reactive protein levels (31.0 vs. 12.0 mg/L, p < 0.05). None of the 34 patients with ARC developed acute kidney injury, but 22 of 35 non-ARC patients did. ARC was associated with shorter PICU stays (median 7 vs. 11 days, p < 0.05). Univariate regression analyses identified fluid balance, cardiac function parameters, renal resistive index, and inflammatory markers as explanatory factors associated with ARC.

Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort of pediatric sepsis patients admitted to the PICU, the prevalence of early-onset ARC is around 50%, and younger patients may be at risk. The presence of ARC is associated with hemodynamic and inflammatory responses. Taken together, more prospective work is needed, with an emphasis on drug-level targeting and a better understanding of interactions with intrarenal pathophysiology.