Acute kidney injury in low- and middle-income countries: investigations, management and prevention

• Published in: Paediatrics and international child health 2017-11, Vol.37 (4), p.269-272
• Main Author: Abdelraheem, Mohamed B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute kidney injury; AKI, acute kidney injury; CKD, chronic kidney disease; HIC, high-income countries; high-income countries; ICU, intensive care units; ISN, International Society of Nephrology; ISPD, International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis; LMIC, low- and middle-income countries; low- and middle-income countries; PD, peritoneal dialysis; peritoneal dialysis; RRT, renal replacement therapy
• ISSN: 2046-9047; 2046-9055
• DOI: 10.1080/20469047.2017.1386816

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a relatively common condition, encountered in everyday paediatric clinical practice. It is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children both inside and outside intensive care units. It is associated with prolonged hospital stay and progression to chronic kidney disease. The burden of AKI is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries where rural areas and smaller cities in the countryside predominate. Most of these areas suffer from poverty, poor sanitation, water quality and hygiene, lack of education and poor access to health care. AKI is preventable if it is detected sufficiently early and managed promptly. Improved nephrology services and the availability of cost-effective dialysis facilities in resource-limited settings should reduce morbidity and save many children's lives.