Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

The spectrum of onset of acute kidney injury in premature infants less than 30 weeks gestation

Abstract

Objective:

To determine risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in preterm infants as a function of time of onset.

Study Design:

In this 5 1/2-year, single-center, retrospective study, incidence and timing of AKI was determined using modified Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. Characteristics of newborns with and without AKI were compared by chi square and t-tests. Logistic regression was used to examine risk factors for AKI as a function of time of onset and potential confounders.

Result:

AKI occurred in 30.3% of 357 neonates; 72.2% was stage 1. Gestational ages (GA), initial Cr, maternal magnesium and volume resuscitation were associated with early AKI (days 0 to 1). Volume resuscitation, umbilical arterial line and receipt of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for patent ductus arteriosus were associated with intermediate AKI (days 2 to 5). GA, steroids for early hypotension, necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis were associated with late AKI (day 6).

Conclusion:

Stage 1 AKI is a common morbidity in our population. Risk factors for AKI in our population differed with time of onset.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rodriguez MM, Gomez AH, Abitol CL, Chandar JJ, Duara S, Zilleruelo GE . Histomorphometric analysis of postnatal glomerulogenesis in extremely preterm infants. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2004; 7: 17–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Osthanondh V, Potter EL . Development of human kidney as shown by microdissection. III. Formation and interrelationship of collecting tubules and nephrons. Arch Pathol 1963; 76: 290–301.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bertram JF, Douglas-Denton RN, Diouf B, Hughson MD, Hoy WE . Human nephron number: implications for health and disease. Pediatr Nephrol 2011; 26: 1529–1533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sutherland MR, Gubhaju L, Moore L, Kent AL, Dahlstrom JE, Horne RSC et al. Accelerated maturation and abnormal morphology in the preterm kidney. J Am Soc Nephrol 2011; 22: 1365–1374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Charlton JR, Springsteen CH, Carmody JB . Nephron number and its determinants in early life: a primer. Pediatr Nephrol 2014; 29: 2299–2308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Carmody JB, Charlton JR . Short-term gestation, long-term risk: prematurity and chronic kidney disease. Pediatrics 2013; 131: 1168–1179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Luyckx VA, Bertram JF, Brenner BM, Fall C, Hoy WE, Ozanne SE et al. Effect of fetal and child health on kidney development and long-term risk of hypertension and kidney disease. Lancet 2013; 382: 273–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Koralkar R, Ambalavanan N, Levitan EB, McGwin G, Goldstein S, Askenazi D . Acute kidney injury reduces survival in very low birth weight infants. Pediatr Res 2011; 69: 354–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Carmody JB, Swanson JR, Rhone ET, Charlton JR . Recognition and reporting of AKI in very low birth weight infants. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2014; 9: 2036–2043.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Akcan-Arikan A, Zappitelli M, Loftis LL, Washborn KK, Jefferson LS, Goldstein SL . Modified RIFLE criteria in critically ill children with acute kidney injury. Kidney Int 2007; 71: 1028–1035.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Askenazi DJ, Bunchman TE . Pediatric acute kidney injury: the use of the RIFLE criteria. Kidney Int 2007; 71: 963–964.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Youssef D, Abd-Elrahman H, Shehab MM, Abd-Elrahman M . Incidence of acute kidney injury in the neonatal intensive care unit. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2015; 26: 67–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Bolat F, Comert S, Bolat G, Kucuk O, Can E, Bulbul A et al. Acute kidney injury in a single neonatal intensive care unit in Turkey. World J Pediatr 2013; 9: 323–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Cataldi L, Leone R, Moretti U, DeMitri B, Ruggeri L, Sabatino G et al. Potential risk factors for the development of acute renal failure in preterm newborn infants: a case-control study. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal ed 2005; 90: F514–F519.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Momtaz HE, Sabzehei MK, Rasuli B, Torabian S . The main etiologies and acute kidney injury in the newborns hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Clin Neonatol 2014; 3: 99–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Viswanathan S, Manyam B, Azhibekov T, Mhanna MJ . Risk factors associated with acute kidney injury in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Pediatr Nephrol 2012; 27: 303–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Jetton JG, Askenazi DJ . Update on acute kidney injury in the neonate. Curr Opin Pediatr 2012; 24: 191–196.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kliegman RM, Walsh MC . Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: pathogenesis, classification, and spectrum of disease. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 1987; 17: 243–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Parry G, Tucker J, Tarnow-Mordi W . CRIB II: an update of the clinical risk index for babies score. Lancet 2003; 361: 1789–1791.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. McElrath TF, Hecht JL, Dammann O, Boggess K, Onderdonk A, Markenson G et al. Pregnancy disorders that lead to delivery before the 28th week of gestation: an epidemiologic approach to classification. Am J Epidemiol 2008; 168: 980–989.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Edwards RK . Chorioamnionitis and labor. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2005; 32: 287–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Intrauterine Growth Restriction. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Washington, DC, 2000.

  23. Bateman DA, Thomas W, Parravicini E, Polesana E, Locatelli C, Lorenz JM . Serum creatinine in very-low-birth-weight infants from birth to 34-36 wk postmenstrual age. Pediatr Res 2015; 77: 696–708.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Gallini F, Maggio L, Romagnoli C, Marrocco G, Tortorolo G . Progression of renal function in preterm neonates with gestational age ≤ 32 weeks. Pediatr Nephrol 2000; 15: 119–124.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Iacobelli S, Bonsante F, Ferdinus C, Labenne M, Gouyon JB . Factors affecting postnatal changes in serum creatinine in preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks. J Perinatol 2009; 29: 232–236.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Thayyil S, Sheik S, Kempley ST, Sinha A . A gestation- and postnatal age-based reference chart for assessing renal function in extremely premature infants. J Perinatol 2008; 28: 226–229.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Auron A, Mhanna MJ . Serum creatinine in very low birth weight infants during their first days of life. J Perinatol 2006; 26: 755–760.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Miall LS, Henderson MJ, Turner AJ, Brownlee KG, Brocklebank JT, Newell SJ et al. Plasma creatinine rises dramatically in the first 48 h of life in preterm infants. Pediatrics 1999; 104: e76.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Weintraub AS, Carey A, Connors J, Blanco V, Green RS . Relationship of maternal creatinine to first neonatal creatinine in infants <30 weeks gestation. J Perinatol 2015; 35: 401–404.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Boubred F, Vendemmia M, Garcia-Merc P, Buffat C, Miller V, Simeoni U . Effects of maternally administered drugs on the fetal and neonatal kidney. Drug Saf 2006; 29: 397–419.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Schreuder MF, Bueters RR, Huigen MC, Russek FG, Masereeuw R, van den Heuvel LP . Effect of drugs on renal development. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2011; 6: 212–217.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Antonucci R, Fanos V . NSAIDs, prostaglandins, and the neonatal kidney. J Matern Fetal Neonat Med 2009; 22 (suppl): 23–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Vieux R, Desandes R, Boubred F, Semama D, Guillemin F, Buchweiller MC et al. Ibuprofen in very preterm infants impairs renal function for the first month of life. Pediatr Nephrol 2010; 25: 267–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Cuzzolin L, Fanos V, Pinna B, di Marzio M, Perin M, Tramontozzi P et al. Postnatal renal function in preterm newborns: a role of diseases, drugs and therapeutic interventions. Pediatr Nephrol 2006; 21: 931–938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Rhone ET, Carmody JB, Swanson JR, Charlton JR . Nephrotoxic medication exposure in very low birth weight infants. J Matern Fetal Neonat Med 2014; 27: 1485–1490.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Bueters RRG, Kusters LJA, Klaasen A, van den Heuvel LP, Schreuder MF . Antibiotic and renal branching morphogenesis: comparison of toxicities. Pediatr Res 2014; 76: 508–514.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Rifkin DE, Coca SG, Kalanter-Zadeh K . Does AKI truly lead to CKD? J Am Soc Nephrol 2012; 23: 979–984.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Coca SG, Singanamala S, Parikh CR . Chronic kidney disease after acute kidney injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Kidney Int 2012; 81: 442–448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Hsu C . Yes, AKI truly leads to CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol 2012; 23: 967–968.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Hsu CW, Yamamoto KT, Henry RK, De Roos AJ, Flynn JT . Prenatal risk factors for childhood CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol 2014; 25: 2105–2111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Hsu CY . Linking the population epidemiology of acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, and end stage renal disease. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 2007; 16: 221–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Chawla LS, Kimmel PL . Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease: an integrated clinical syndrome. Kidney Int 2012; 82: 516–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. White SL, Perkovic V, Cass A, Chang CL, Poulter NR, Spector T et al. Is low birth weight an antecedent of chronic kidney disease later in life? A systematic review of observational studies. Am J Kid Dis 2009; 54: 248–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Keijzer-Veen MG, Devos AS, Meradji M, Dekker FW, Nauta J, van der Heijden BJ . Reduced renal length and volume 20 years after preterm birth. Pediatr Nephrol 2010; 25: 499–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Abitol CL, Rodrigues MM . The long-term renal and cardiovascular consequences of prematurity. Nat Rev Nephrol 2012; 8: 265–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Askenazi DJ . Are we ready for the clinical use of novel acute kidney injury biomarkers? Pediatr Nephrol 2012; 27: 1423–1425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Askenazi DJ, Koralkar R, Hunley HE, Montesanti A, Parwar P, Sonjara S et al. Urine biomarkers predict acute kidney injury in newborns. J Pediatr 2012; 161: 270–275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Askenazi DJ, Montesanti A, Hunley HE, Koralkar R, Pawar P, Shuaib F et al. Urine biomarkers predict acute kidney injury and mortality in very low birth weight infants. J Pediatr 2011; 159: 907–912.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Askenazi DJ, Koralkar R, Levitan EB, Goldstein SL, Devarajan P, Khandrika S et al. Baseline values of candidate urine acute kidney injury biomarkers vary by gestational age in premature infants. Pediatr Res 2011; 70: 302–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A S Weintraub.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Weintraub, A., Connors, J., Carey, A. et al. The spectrum of onset of acute kidney injury in premature infants less than 30 weeks gestation. J Perinatol 36, 474–480 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.217

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.217

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links