Objective: To determine the frequency of cardiorenal syndrome in hospitalized children with acute heart failure.
Study Design: Descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from December 2010 to December 2011.
Methodology: Sixty eight (68) children with acute heart failure fulfilling the selection criteria were evaluated for worsening of renal function (WRF). Serum creatinine was done at baseline and repeated at 72 hours to see the worsening of renal function. Estimated serum creatinine clearance was calculated by Schwartz formula.
Results: Mean age of patients was 43.6 ± 55.2 months. There were 43 (63%) males, 70% were under 57 months of age. Mean weight on admission was 14.7 ± 19.13 kg and mean height was 83 cm (± 31.08 SD). Mean serum creatinine on admission was 0.77 mg/dl (± 1.18 SD). Worsening renal function was noted in 55 (81%) of children, out of those, majority 36 (70.5%) were under 5 years of age.
Conclusion: Worsening renal function was found in 81% of children admitted with the diagnosis of acute heart failure. Majority (70.5%) were under 5 years of age indicating a closer observation of renal status in younger age group to reduce, morbidity and mortality