Acute Kidney Injury in Children

Author: Dilshad Marikar / Editors: Angela Hall, Damian Roland / Reviewer: Jolene Rosario, Raghaventhar manikandan / Code: / Published: 22/12/2020 / Reviewed: 07/03/2024

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a sudden decline in kidney function. AKI in children is associated with an increased risk of death, prolonged hospital stay and the development of chronic kidney disease. Early detection in the paediatric emergency department is important to reduce the risk of harm.

This module provides an approach to assessment and management of Paediatric AKI, based on national guidance from the British Association of Paediatric Nephrology (BAPN).

Learning Objectives:

  • Define Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
  • Identify paediatric patient groups who are at risk of AKI
  • Assess patients at risk of AKI and confirm the diagnosis
  • Manage paediatric AKI in the emergency department

References

  1. McCaffrey J, Dhakal AK, et al. Recent developments in the detection and management of acute kidney injury. Arch Dis Child. 2017 Jan;102(1):91-96.
  2. Sutherland SM, Ji J, Sheikhi FH, et al. AKI in hospitalized children: epidemiology and clinical associations in a national cohort. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013 Oct;8(10):1661-9.
  3. Mammen C, Al Abbas A, et al. Long-term risk of CKD in children surviving episodes of acute kidney injury in the intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study. Am J Kidney Dis. 2012 Apr;59(4):523-30.
  4. Guidance for clinicians managing children at risk of, or with, acute kidney injury. UK Renal Registry. Think Kidneys, 2016. Revised Dec 2019. [Accessed March 2024]
  5. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Algorithm. NHS England. [Accessed Dec 2023]
  6. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Acute kidney injury: prevention, detection and management [NG148] 2019. Last updated: 28 September 2023 [Accessed Dec 2023]
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  12. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Intravenous fluid therapy in children and young people in hospital. [NG29], 2015. Last updated: 11 June 2020

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