Clinical profile and outcome of acute kidney injury in patients with neonatal sepsis

Abstract

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with neonatal sepsis is associated with worse outcomes. This study was conducted with an aim of developing an insight into the magnitude of this problem in our region. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Neonatology Unit of Ayub Teaching Hospital from 1st Jul 2019 to 31st Dec 2019. All neonates diagnosed as cases of neonatal sepsis and having acute kidney injury were included in the study. Patient characteristics were recorded on a structured proforma and analysed using SPSS-20. Results: A total of 115 neonates were included in the study. Among the study population, 75 (65.2%) were male and 40 (34.8%) were female. A total of 77 (67%) patients were diagnosed as having early onset neonatal sepsis and 38 (33%) patients presented with late onset neonatal sepsis. History of delayed cry at birth was present in 57 (49.6%) patients. A total of 83 (72.2%) patients were discharged, 22 (19.1%) patients expired, 4 (3.5%) patients were referred and 6 (5.2%) patients left against medical advice. There was a statistically significant difference in outcome in relation to history of delayed cry (p=0.002) and involvement of other organ systems in addition to AKI (p=0.002). Conclusion: Acute kidney injury is quite prevalent in neonates with sepsis. Asphyxiated newborns with sepsis and AKI are more prone to adverse outcomes. Pak J Physiol 2021;17(1):33–6