Prevalence of acute renal failure in pediatrics admitted to the emergency department

Introduction: Causes of acute renal failure in children vary in developed and developing countries. Prevention plays an important role in reducing the complications of acute renal failure (ARF), while changes in fluid therapy management and infection control can reduce the incidence and severity of renal failure. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and causes of ARF in children. Patients and Methods: A prospective descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Ali-Ibn-Abitaleb hospital in Zahedan during a period of one year from April to March 2017 in patients aged one month to 15 years who were admitted to the pediatric emergency department. Results: Among 201 patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), the highest number was 112 patients (28.3%) between one month and one year, followed by 80 patients (7.9%), one year to five years, and 9 patients (3.1%) above 5 years. Gender did not play a significant role in the development of acute kidney disease. The most common causes of AKI were sepsis (87.2%), underlying renal disease (64.9%), heart disease (37.5%), and gastrointestinal disease (19.5%), respectively. The most common laboratory findings in patients with AKI were hypokalemia (56.7%) and hypernatremia (57.1%). Conclusion: ARF is one of the most problems in medical system, but its exact cause is not well established. Knowing ARF epidemiology by standard definitions can help to measure high-risk pediatrics, as the first step for treatment and improving outcomes. A future study may benefit from better identification of risk factors and early detection of AKI using novel biomarkers to prevent the progression of AKI.