Frequency of Acute Kidney Injury in Neonates with Perinatal Asphyxia

Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common and severe complication in neonates with perinatal asphyxia, contributing to long-term morbidity. Identifying risk factors and ensuring early detection are crucial for improving outcomes in these vulnerable infants. Objective: To determine the prevalence of AKI in neonates with perinatal asphyxia. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Duration and Place of Study: The study was conducted from February 2024 to August 2024 at the Paediatrics Department, POF Hospital Wah Cantt. Methodology: A total of 145 neonates with perinatal asphyxia, defined by an APGAR score of <7 at 5 minutes or delayed crying for ≥1 minute, were included. Neonates with congenital anomalies, maternal drug addiction, or oligohydramnios were excluded. The primary outcome, AKI, was diagnosed based on serum creatinine levels >133 µmol/l at 24, 48, and 72 hours’ post-birth. Results: The mean maternal age was 28.71 ± 3.73 years, and the mean gestational age at birth was 38.67 ± 1.32 weeks. The mean APGAR score was 4.26 ± 0.89. Of the neonates, 40.7% developed AKI. Maternal age did not show a significant association with AKI (p = 0.794), while gestational age ≤39 weeks (p < 0.001), male gender (p < 0.001), and residential status (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with AKI. Conclusion: Our study concluded that AKI is a common complication of perinatal asphyxia, with male gender and gestational age being significant risk factors.