Acute renal failure (ARF), now known as acute kidney injury (AKI), is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized children. A 2005 study from these researchers demonstrated 29% mortality during the initial hospitalization for children with AKI, with higher mortality rates in ICU patients and those receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT).¹ Among survivors, 68% had completely recovered renal function by discharge and only 5% had end stage renal disease (ESRD). However, long-term outcomes in the children with AKI who survived hospitalization were not known until this follow-up study.

To measure 3- to 5-year patient and renal survival after AKI.

Retrospective cross-sectional/cohort (blended methodology) study at a single US center from 1998 to 2001.