Chronic renal failure in children; etiology and clinical presentation

ABSTRACT

Chronic renal failure is defined as progressive and irreversible loss of renal functions that gradually progress to end-stage renal disease. The etiology of chronic renal failure in childhood correlates closely with the age of patient at the time when the renal failure is first detected. The aim was to assess the underlying causes and risk factors of chronic renal failure and to identify the clinical presentation of chronic renal failure in children reporting at Allied Hospital Faisalabad. It was a cross sectional study. The study was done in a period of one year starting from March 20th, 2007 to March 20, 2008. The study was done in the Department of Pediatrics medicine Allied Hospital Faisalabad. CRF was defined as glomerular filtration rate less than 25% of the normal for that age and sex. Patients of either sex ranging from 6 months to 15 years fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Sampling technique was non-probability convenience sampling. In addition to clinical evaluation, they were investigated to find out the underline causes. Out of 40 patients of CRF males were [n-28], females were [n-12], with male to female ratio of 2.31. Mean age of males was 7.36+ 3.98 and females was 8.96+ 2.65. Etiological factors found in 34[85%] patients included congenital malformations [9-22.5%] urolithiasis [8-20%] reflux nephropathy [6-15%] glomerulopathies [3-7.5%] neurogenic bladder [2-5%] strictures [1-2.5%] and miscellaneous [5-20.5%] Etiology was unknown in 6 patients [15%]. Failure to thrive 77%, Respiratory distress 75%, Pallor 75%, Fever 75%, Headache 67%, Vomiting 63%, Edema 50%, and Anorexia 42% were the most common clinical features at presentation