Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill children is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. In this study we evaluated the effect of AKI severity on the incidence of short-term mortality and morbidity. METHODS: Multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted over two years period. We used the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) to diagnose and stage AKI. RESULTS: A total of 511 out of 1367 included children (37.4%; 95% CI: 34.8-40.0) were diagnosed with AKI. They were categorized into three KDIGO stages: stage I (mild) in 47.5% (95% CI: 43.2-52.0), stage II (moderate) in 32.8% (95% CI: 28.8-37.1) and stage III (severe) in 19.7% (95% CI: 16.4-23.5). Stage II and III AKI had higher risk of mortality and longer length of stay (LOS) in hospital. Children with stage III AKI were more likely to require mechanical ventilation, referral to pediatric nephrology and discharge with abnormal creatinine level (above 100 uml\L). Hypervolemia, hypocalcemia, anemia, and acidosis were found to be independent risk factors of mortality. CONCLUSION: The extent of severity of AKI is directly associated with increased mortality, LOS and short-term morbidity.