Acute kidney injury in children treated with aminoglycosides

Abstract

Introduction: The etiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized children is multifactorial. While nephrotoxic antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides, cause AKI, the prevalence and severity of AKI in this context are uncertain. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled consecutive patients, from 1 month to 12-year-old, admitted to pediatric wards at an academic tertiary care center between March 2013 and March 2014. Included patients had normal renal function at baseline and were treated with aminoglycosides for more than 7 days. Serum creatinine was monitored serially for the development of AKI by pediatric risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage renal disease (pRIFLE), and AKI network (AKIN) classifications. Data, presented as percentage or mean ± standard deviation, were compared using appropriate tests. Results: Of 100 patients (68% boys) treated with aminoglycosides for 11.4 ± 4.5 days, chiefly for pneumonia, febrile neutropenia and abscesses, 97% received amikacin and 3% received gentamicin, chiefly (84%) in multiple doses. AKI was observed in 46% and 62% of cases using AKIN and pRIFLE criteria, respectively. Patients with AKI were younger than those without AKI (P = 0.04) and received multiple dosing more often than once-daily regimen (P = 0.07). Conclusions: AKI develops in a significant proportion of hemodynamically stable patients treated with aminoglycosides for 7 days or longer. Young age and multiple daily doses are potential risk factors for AKI in patients treated with aminoglycosides.