Abstract
Objective This study aims to estimate the impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) on postnatal
renal adaptation, morbidity, and mortality in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants.
Design We conducted a retrospective study of 457 VLBW infants admitted to a tertiary level
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between July 2009 and April 2015. We compared
patient characteristics, risk factors, serum creatinine trends, and adverse outcomes
in infants with and without AKI using multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results Incidence of AKI was 19.5%. On multivariate analysis, postnatal risk factors such
as patent ductus arteriosus and vancomycin use were significantly associated with
AKI. Infants with AKI had significantly higher mortality; 25/89 (28%) versus 15/368
(4%) (p < 0.001). Among survivors with AKI, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was more prevalent
(52.8 vs. 23.9%, p < 0.001), serum creatinine remained elevated for a longer duration and median length
of stay extended by 38 days.
Conclusion Presence of AKI was associated with impaired postnatal renal adaptation, BPD, significantly
longer stay in the NICU and higher mortality.
Keywords
acute kidney injury - very low-birth-weight infants - acute renal injury - serum creatinine
trends - postnatal renal adaptation