Neonatal Acute Kidney Injury: A Survey of Neonatologists' and Nephrologists' Perceptions and Practice Management

BACKGROUND

Neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 40 to 70% of critically ill neonatal intensive care admissions. This study explored the differences in perceptions and practice variations among neonatologists and pediatric nephrologists in diagnostic criteria, management, and follow-up of neonatal AKI.

METHODS

A survey weblink was emailed to nephrologists and neonatologists in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, and the United States. Questions consisted of demographic and unit practices, three clinical scenarios assessing awareness of definitions of neonatal AKI, knowledge, management, and follow-up practices.

RESULTS

Many knowledge gaps among neonatologists, and to a lesser extent, pediatric nephrologists were identified. Neonatologists were less likely to use categorical definitions of neonatal AKI (p < 0.00001) or diagnose stage 1 AKI (p < 0.00001) than pediatric nephrologists. Guidelines for creatinine monitoring for nephrotoxic medications were reported by 34% (aminoglycosides) and 62% (indomethacin) of respondents. Nephrologists were more likely to consider follow-up after AKI than neonatologists (p < 0.00001). Also, 92 and 86% of neonatologists and nephrologists, respectively, reported no standardization or infrastructure for long-term renal follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Neonatal AKI is underappreciated, particularly among neonatologists. A lack of evidence on neonatal AKI contributes to this variation in response. Therefore, dissemination of current knowledge and areas for research should be the priority.

Nephrotoxic Medications and Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Preterm infants are at risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) for multiple reasons. Reports on the frequency and timeline of iatrogenic renal insults and potential consequences are limited. Our objectives are to estimate the prevalence and timing of exposure to nephrotoxic medications, and assess the association of these nephrotoxic medications with AKI in preterm infants. We performed a retrospective chart review of infants <30 weeks postmenstrual age and/or <1500 g birth weight admitted to the neonatal intensive care units at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati Medical Center from 2011 to 2014. We queried the electronic health record for exposures to nephrotoxic medications and/or radiologic contrast media and correlated to serum creatinine concentration proximate to the exposure. Using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) creatinine criteria, we assessed the AKI rate associated with the exposures. The cohort included 276 preterm infants. 233 (84%) received nephrotoxicity-associated medications. Antibiotics were the most common type (80%). AKI occurred in 9% of infants and was associated with exposure to a nephrotoxic medication. In a forward stepwise logistical regression, birth weight (OR: 0.995 (95% CI: 0.991-0.998), p=0.004) and number of exposures (OR: 1.83 (95% CI: 1.33-2.53), p=0.0002) were predictive of AKI. Nephrotoxic medication exposure increased the odds of AKI in preterm and low birth weight infants. Future prospective surveillance through the electronic health record in addition to routine serum creatinine monitoring may reduce the rate of exposure and subsequent AKI.