FREQUENCY OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN NEONATES PRESENTING WITH PERINATAL ASPHYXIA IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Perinatal asphyxia remains a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. One of its serious complications is acute kidney injury (AKI), which contributes to poor outcomes if not promptly recognized and managed. Early detection of AKI in asphyxiated neonates is essential to reduce short- and long-term complications. Objective: To determine the frequency of acute kidney injury in neonates presenting with perinatal asphyxia in a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: the pediatric department of Combined Military Hospital in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Duration of Study: 12-January-2025 to 12-May-2025. Methods: A total of 145 neonates aged 1–25 days with perinatal asphyxia, confirmed by an Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, along with clinical signs, were included. Neonates were evaluated for acute kidney injury. AKI was defined by a serum creatinine level >1.5 mg/dL or a daily rise ≥0.2 mg/dL in the presence of oliguria. Data were analyzed to calculate the frequency of AKI, and results were expressed as mean ± SD for quantitative variables and percentages for categorical variables. Results: Among 145 neonates with perinatal asphyxia, 26 (17.9%) developed acute kidney injury. The mean serum creatinine level of the cohort was 1.42 ± 0.29 mg/dL. The mean age of neonates was 13.24 ± 6.87 days, with a male predominance (57.9%). Conclusion: The frequency of acute kidney injury in neonates with perinatal asphyxia was 17.9%. These findings highlight the need for routine renal function monitoring in neonates with asphyxia to ensure early detection and timely management of AKI.