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Background: Neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and leads to worse outcomes. Stratifying neonates into an "at risk" category allows health care providers to objectively recognize opportunities for improvements in quality of care. Methods: The "Neonatal AKI Risk Prediction Scoring" was devised as the "STARZ [Sethi, Tibrewal, Agrawal, Raina, waZir]" Score. The STARZ score was derived from our prior multicentre study analysing risk factors for AKI in neonates admitted to the NICU. This tool includes 10 variables with a total score ranging from 0 to 100 and a cut-off score of 31.5. In the present study, the scoring model has been validated in our multicentre cohort of 744 neonates. Results: In the validation cohort, this scoring model had sensitivity of 82.1%, specificity 91.7%, positive predictive value 81.2%, negative predictive value 92.2% and accuracy 88.8%. Based on the STARZ cut-off score of ≥ 31.5, an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was observed to be 0.932 (95% CI, 0.910–0.954; p < 0.001) signifying that the discriminative power was high. In the validation cohort, the probability of AKI was less than 20% for scores up to 32, 20–40% for scores between 33 and 36, 40–60% for scores between 37 and 43, 60–80% for scores between 44 and 49, and ≥ 80% for scores ≥ 50. Conclusions: To promote the survival of susceptible neonates, early detection and prompt interventional measures based on highly evidenced research is vital. The risk of AKI in admitted neonates can be quantitatively determined by the rapid STARZ scoring system. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothesis: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a pediatric incidence ranging from 19.3% to 24.1%. Treatment of pediatric AKI is a source of debate in varying geographical regions. Currently CRRT is the treatment for pediatric AKI, but limitations due to cost and accessibility force use of adult equipment and other therapeutic options such as peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD). It was hypothesized that more cost-effective measures would likely be used in developing countries due to lesser resource availability. Methods: A 26-question internet-based survey was distributed to 650 pediatric Nephrologists. There was a response rate of 34.3% (223 responses). The survey was distributed via pedneph and pcrrt email servers, inquiring about demographics, technology, resources, pediatric-specific supplies, and preference in renal replacement therapy (RRT) in pediatric AKI. The main method of analysis was to compare responses about treatments between nephrologists in developed countries and nephrologists in developing countries using difference-of-proportions tests. Results: PD was available in all centers surveyed, while HD was available in 85.1% and 54.1% (p = 0.00), CRRT was available in 60% and 33.3% (p = 0.001), and SLED was available in 20% and 25% (p = 0.45) centers of developed and developing world respectively. In developing countries, 68.5% (p = 0.000) of physicians preferred PD to costlier therapies, while in developed countries it was found that physicians favored HD (72%, p = 0.00) or CRRT (24%, p = 0.041) in infants. Conclusions: Lack of availability of resources, trained physicians and funds often preclude standards of care in developing countries, and there is much development needed in terms of meeting higher global standards for treating pediatric AKI patients. PD remains the main modality of choice for treatment of AKI in infants in developing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lthough rare, renal replacement therapy (RRT) for the treatment of the metabolic, respiratory and hemodynamic complications of intoxications may be required. Understanding the natural clearance of the medications along with their volume of distribution, protein binding and molecular weight will help in understanding the benefit of commencing RRT. This information will aid in choosing the optimal forms of RRT in an urgent setting. Overdose of common pediatric medications are discussed with suggestions on the type of RRT within this educational review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, the etiology and therapy of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children has changed. Historically, hemolytic uremic syndrome was the major cause of pediatric AKI, but advances in technology have meant that sepsis and deterioration of often unrecognized long-term organ dysfunction are now more common causes of pediatric AKI in the developed world. At the same time, major advances in renal replacement therapy in children have occurred as a result of improved strategies for vascular access, more-adaptable equipment, and better techniques and protocols. This Review outlines the etiology, incidence, diagnosis, and treatment--both dialytic and non-dialytic--of pediatric AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Provision of renal replacement therapy to the critically ill child entails numerous technical and prescriptive considerations because pediatric nephrologists and intensive care physicians are faced with patients ranging in size from 2-kg neonates to 200-kg adolescents or young adults. The current article focuses on the common technical and prescriptive issues that inform the care of children with acute kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It is the practice of many pediatric renal transplant programs to ‘convert’ children taking cyclosporin A (CsA) to tacrolimus, although the indications for, outcome, and complications of this practice remain obscure. To better understand these aspects of tacrolimus ‘conversion’, a fax survey was sent to 119 North American pediatric renal transplant centers. Analyzable responses were received from 52 centers (44%), and included data from ≈ 1,815 pediatric renal transplants performed between 1991 and 98. Strong indications for tacrolimus conversion were: antibody-resistant rejection, CsA-resistant rejection, and CsA intolerance (strong indication in 72%, 65%, and 52% of centers, respectively). Steroid-resistant rejection and cosmetic side-effects were considered strong indications less often. Initial anti-rejection therapy was usually increased corticosteroid dose (47/52 centers). Antibody therapy was most commonly used for steroid-resistant rejection (44 centers). For steroid- and antibody-resistant rejection, tacrolimus conversion was most common (33 centers). Tacrolimus conversion for antibody-resistant rejection led to improvement of serum creatinine (SCr) in 27% of patients, stabilization of SCr in 46%, worsening of SCr in 11%, and graft loss in 16%. Reported complications after tacrolimus conversion included hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, lymphoproliferative disorder, infection, and neurologic problems. We conclude that the major indication for tacrolimus conversion in pediatric transplant programs appears to be rejection. Outcome after tacrolimus conversion appears good, with the majority of patients experiencing stable or improved allograft function. These data provide direction for further study, including timing of tacrolimus conversion and interaction with other therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which is concerned with disaster management for earthquakes and pediatric nephrology.

The author reflects on pediatric fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Topics discussed here include, care of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in children with FHF, combination of RRT within the context of continuous RRT (CRRT), and the continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) and CVVH diffusion (CVVHD).