Nutritional and clinical factors associated with acute kidney injury development in critically ill children.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. There is scarce data to support an association between nutritional status and nutrient delivery in critically ill pediatric patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the nutritional and clinical factors associated with the development of AKI during pediatric ICU stay. METHODS: This prospective study included critically ill pediatric patients aged < 15 years who were admitted to the medical and surgical pediatric ICU. Clinical, laboratory, nutritional status, nutritional therapy parameters, and AKI data were recorded. Adjusted logistic regression was applied and expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We enrolled 108 patients with a median age of 9 months (interquartile range/IQR 2.4-62.5), and 43.5% developed AKI. Sepsis/septic shock (OR 8.00; 95% CI 2.06-32.51, p = 0.003), higher severity of illness (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.24-2.90, p = 0.003), hypoalbuminemia (OR 4.11; 95% CI 1.61-10.46, p = 0.006), edema (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.10-10.67, p = 0.034), fluid overload (OR 3.52, 95% CI 1.56-7.96, p = 0.003), need for mechanical ventilation (OR 3.62, 95% CI 1.45-9.04, p = 0.006) and adequate protein intake (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63-1.00, p = 0.048) were associated with development of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoalbuminemia, need for mechanical ventilation, fluid overload, severity of illness, sepsis/septic shock, and edema were risk factors for AKI in pediatric ICU. Furthermore, adequate protein intake is associated with AKI during pediatric ICU stay, making it important to implement nutritional assessment and nutritional therapy protocols for critically ill pediatric patients.

The challenges of the pandemic and the vaccination against covid-19 in pediatric patients with kidney disease / Os desafios da pandemia e a vacinação covid-19 na população pediátrica com doenças renais

ABSTRACT The covid-19 vaccine confers direct protection and reduces transmission rates of the virus and new variants. Vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and CoronaVac have been cleared for children in Brazil. They are safe, effective, and immunogenic. There are no known complications associated with the use of steroids or vaccines in pediatric patients with covid-19 and nephrotic syndrome. With or without immunosuppression, these patients are not at increased risk of severe covid-19, and steroids are safe for them. A milder form of covid-19 occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease without the need for hospitalization. The vaccine response may be reduced and/or the duration of antibodies after vaccination may be shorter than in the general population. However, considering risk of exposure, vaccination against covid-19 is recommended. It is believed that patients with hemolytic-uremic syndrome are at higher risk of severe covid-19. Vaccination is recommended, although specific data on the safety and efficacy of the covid-19 vaccine are limited. There is agreement that the benefits of induced immunity outweigh the risks of immunization. Vaccination against covid-19 is recommended for children and adolescents needing kidney transplantation or who have undergone transplantation. These patients present decreased immune response after vaccination, but immunization is recommended because the benefits outweigh the risks of vaccination. Current recommendations in Brazil stipulate the use of the messenger RNA vaccine. This paper aims to provide pediatric nephrologists with the latest knowledge about vaccination against covid-19 for children with kidney disease.

Resumo A vacina covid-19 confere proteção direta, reduz as taxas de transmissão do vírus e de novas variantes. No Brasil, estão liberadas para a população pediátrica as vacinas Pfizer/BioNTech e a CoronaVac, ambas seguras, eficazes e imunogênicas. Pacientes pediátricos com síndrome nefrótica e covid-19 têm curso clínico regular sem complicações relacionadas ao uso de esteroides ou vacinas. Esses pacientes, com ou sem imunossupressão, não apresentam maior risco de covid-19 grave e o tratamento com esteroides é seguro. Os pacientes com doença renal crônica têm covid-19 mais leve, sem necessidade de hospitalização. A resposta vacinal pode ser reduzida e/ou a duração dos anticorpos pós-vacinação pode ser menor do que na população geral. Entretanto, a vacina covid-19 está recomendada, considerando o risco de exposição. Acredita-se que pacientes com síndrome hemolítico-urêmica teriam maior risco de covid-19 grave. A vacina é recomendada, embora dados específicos sobre segurança e eficácia da vacina covid-19 sejam limitados. Há concordância que os benefícios da imunidade induzida superam quaisquer riscos da imunização. A vacina covid-19 é recomendada para crianças e adolescentes candidatos ao transplante renal ou já transplantados. Esses pacientes têm resposta imunológica reduzida após a vacina, entretanto ela é recomendada porque os benefícios superam qualquer risco dessa vacinação. A recomendação atual no Brasil é a vacina de tecnologia RNA mensageiro. O objetivo deste documento é levar aos nefrologistas pediátricos os conhecimentos mais recentes sobre a vacinação contra contra-19 em crianças com doenças renais.

The challenges of the pandemic and the vaccination against covid-19 in pediatric patients with kidney disease.

The covid-19 vaccine confers direct protection and reduces transmission rates of the virus and new variants. Vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and CoronaVac have been cleared for children in Brazil. They are safe, effective, and immunogenic. There are no known complications associated with the use of steroids or vaccines in pediatric patients with covid-19 and nephrotic syndrome. With or without immunosuppression, these patients are not at increased risk of severe covid-19, and steroids are safe for them. A milder form of covid-19 occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease without the need for hospitalization. The vaccine response may be reduced and/or the duration of antibodies after vaccination may be shorter than in the general population. However, considering risk of exposure, vaccination against covid-19 is recommended. It is believed that patients with hemolytic-uremic syndrome are at higher risk of severe covid-19. Vaccination is recommended, although specific data on the safety and efficacy of the covid-19 vaccine are limited. There is agreement that the benefits of induced immunity outweigh the risks of immunization. Vaccination against covid-19 is recommended for children and adolescents needing kidney transplantation or who have undergone transplantation. These patients present decreased immune response after vaccination, but immunization is recommended because the benefits outweigh the risks of vaccination. Current recommendations in Brazil stipulate the use of the messenger RNA vaccine. This paper aims to provide pediatric nephrologists with the latest knowledge about vaccination against covid-19 for children with kidney disease.

Pediatric peritoneal dialysis in Brazil: a discussion about sustainability. A document by the Brazilian Society of Nephrology, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, the Brazilian Association of Organ Transplantation, and the Brazilian Association of Dialysis and Transplant Centers / Diálise peritoneal pediátrica no Brasil: momento de discutir a sustentabilidade. Um documento da Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia, Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria, Associação Brasileira de Transplante de Órgãos e Associação Brasileira de Centros de Diálise e Transplante

Abstract Introdução: A diálise peritoneal (DP) é importante para a pediatria. Este estudo mostrou dados de centros brasileiros que utilizam DP pediátrica. Método: Estudo transversal, observacional, descritivo com questionário eletrônico. Incluiu-se pacientes de 0-18 anos em DP cadastrados nos bancos de dados dos diversos centros. Questionário preenchido anonimamente, sem dados de identificação. Foi adotada metodologia quantitativa. Resultados: 212 pacientes estão em DP no Brasil (agosto, 2021). 80% têm menos de 12 anos de idade. A maioria realiza DP automatizada e 74% são dependentes do Sistema Único de Saúde. Em 25% dos centros faltou material de DP e em 51% os pacientes pediátricos foram convertidos de DP para HD. Conclusão: A maioria dos pacientes tinha menos de 12 anos e era dependente do SUS. A escassez de insumos aconteceu em 25% dos centros. Esses dados apontam para o problema da sustentabilidade de DP, única alternativa de TRS em crianças muito pequenas.

Resumo Introdução: A diálise peritoneal (DP) é importante para a pediatria. Este estudo mostrou dados de centros brasileiros que utilizam DP pediátrica. Método: Estudo transversal, observacional, descritivo com questionário eletrônico. Incluiu-se pacientes de 0-18 anos em DP cadastrados nos bancos de dados dos diversos centros. Questionário preenchido anonimamente, sem dados de identificação. Foi adotada metodologia quantitativa. Resultados: 212 pacientes estão em DP no Brasil (agosto, 2021). 80% têm menos de 12 anos de idade. A maioria realiza DP automatizada e 74% são dependentes do Sistema Único de Saúde. Em 25% dos centros faltou material de DP e em 51% os pacientes pediátricos foram convertidos de DP para HD. Conclusão: A maioria dos pacientes tinha menos de 12 anos e era dependente do SUS. A escassez de insumos aconteceu em 25% dos centros. Esses dados apontam para o problema da sustentabilidade de DP, única alternativa de TRS em crianças muito pequenas.

Pediatric peritoneal dialysis in Brazil: a discussion about sustainability. A document by the Brazilian Society of Nephrology, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, the Brazilian Association of Organ Transplantation, and the Brazilian Association of Dialysis and Transplant Centers.

INTRODUçÃO: A diálise peritoneal (DP) é importante para a pediatria. Este estudo mostrou dados de centros brasileiros que utilizam DP pediátrica. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, observacional, descritivo com questionário eletrônico. Incluiu-se pacientes de 0-18 anos em DP cadastrados nos bancos de dados dos diversos centros. Questionário preenchido anonimamente, sem dados de identificação. Foi adotada metodologia quantitativa. RESULTADOS: 212 pacientes estão em DP no Brasil (agosto, 2021). 80% têm menos de 12 anos de idade. A maioria realiza DP automatizada e 74% são dependentes do Sistema Único de Saúde. Em 25% dos centros faltou material de DP e em 51% os pacientes pediátricos foram convertidos de DP para HD. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria dos pacientes tinha menos de 12 anos e era dependente do SUS. A escassez de insumos aconteceu em 25% dos centros. Esses dados apontam para o problema da sustentabilidade de DP, única alternativa de TRS em crianças muito pequenas.

Snake bite associated with acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a well-known life-threatening systemic effect of snake envenomation which commonly happens secondary to snake bites from families of Viperidae and Elapidae. Enzymatic toxins in snake venom result in injuries to all kidney cell types including glomerular, tubulo-interstitial and kidney vasculature. Pathogenesis of kidney injury due to snake envenomation includes ischaemia secondary to decreased kidney blood flow caused by systemic bleeding and vascular leakage, proteolytic degradation of the glomerular basement membrane by snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), deposition of microthrombi in the kidney microvasculature (thrombotic microangiopathy), direct cytotoxic action of venom, systemic myotoxicity (rhabdomyolysis) and accumulation of large amounts of myoglobin in kidney tubules. Clinical features of AKI include fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, vomiting, oliguria and anuria. Monitoring of blood pressure, fluid balance, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and serum electrolytes is useful in managing AKI induced by snake envenomation. Early initiation of anti-snake venom and early diagnosis of AKI are always desirable. Biomarkers which will help in early prediction of AKI are being explored, and current studies suggest that urinary clusterin, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and serum cystatin C may play an important clinical role in the future. Apart from fluid and electrolyte management, kidney support including early and prompt initiation of kidney replacement therapy when indicated forms the bedrock in managing snake bite-associated AKI. Long-term follow-up is important because of chances of progression towards CKD.

Technical note and clinical instructions for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in patients with Covid-19: Brazilian Society of Nephrology and Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine.

We produced this document to bring pertinent information to the practice of nephrology, as regards to the renal involvement with COVID-19, the management of acute kidney injury cases, and practical guidance on the provision of dialysis support.As information on COVID-19 evolves at a pace never before seen in medical science, these recommendations, although based on recent scientific evidence, refer to the present moment. The guidelines may be updated when published data and other relevant information become available.

Undernutrition at PICU Admission Is Predictor of 60-Day Mortality and PICU Length of Stay in Critically Ill Children.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies that assess the role of different nutritional assessment variables at pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission in predicting clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To identify nutritional variables in the first 4 days of PICU stay that predict 60-day mortality and time to discharge alive from the PICU. DESIGN: Single-center prospective study in Southern Brazil, conducted between July 2013 and February 2016. At PICU admission, children with z scores <-2 for body mass index (BMI)-for-age, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)-for-age, and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF)-for-age were considered as undernourished. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: There were 199 patients, aged <15 years, with PICU stay >48 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sixty-day mortality and time to discharge alive from the PICU. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Cox regression model was applied to determine predictors of 60-day mortality and time to discharge alive from the PICU. RESULTS: Median age was 23.1 months (interquartile range=3.9 to 89.1), and 63% were male, with 18% prevalence of undernutrition at admission by BMI-for-age. Median PICU stay was 7 days (interquartile range=4 to 12), and 60-day mortality was 12%. After adjusting for sex, age, Pediatric Index of Mortality 2, and presence of complex chronic conditions, undernutrition based on BMI-for-age (hazard ratio [HR]=3.75; 95% CI=1.41 to 9.95; P=0.008), MUAC-for-age (HR=7.62; 95% CI=2.42 to 23.97; P=0.001), and TSF-for-age (HR=4.01; 95% CI=1.14 to 14.15; P=0.031) was associated with higher risk of 60-day mortality. Based on MUAC-for-age with the same adjustment model, undernourished children had longer time to discharge alive from the PICU (HR=0.45; 95% CI=0.21 to 0.98; P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Undernutrition at PICU admission based on different anthropometric variables was predictive of 60-day mortality and longer time to discharge alive from the PICU.

Technical note and clinical instructions for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in patients with Covid-19: Brazilian Society of Nephrology and Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine / Nota técnica e orientações clínicas sobre a Injúria Renal Aguda (IRA) em pacientes com Covid-19: Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia e Associação de Medicina Intensiva Brasileira

ABSTRACT We produced this document to bring pertinent information to the practice of nephrology, as regards to the renal involvement with COVID-19, the management of acute kidney injury cases, and practical guidance on the provision of dialysis support.As information on COVID-19 evolves at a pace never before seen in medical science, these recommendations, although based on recent scientific evidence, refer to the present moment. The guidelines may be updated when published data and other relevant information become available.

RESUMO Este documento foi desenvolvido para trazer informações pertinentes à prática nefrológica em relação ao conhecimento sobre o acometimento renal da COVID-19, conduta frente aos casos de injúria renal aguda e orientações práticas sobre a provisão do suporte dialítico.Como as informações sobre a COVID-19 evoluem a uma velocidade jamais vista na ciência médica, as orientações apresentadas, embora baseadas em evidências científicas recentes, referem-se ao momento presente. Essas orientaços poderão ser atualizadas à medida que dados publicados e outras informações relevantes venham a ser disponibilizadas.

Pediatric urolithiasis: experience at a tertiary care pediatric hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric urolithiasis has become more prevalent in recent decades, with high recurrence rates and considerable morbidity. Most children with idiopathic urolithiasis have an underlying metabolic abnormality and proper research provides therapeutic interventions to reduce the formation of new stones and its complications. OBJECTIVE: To identify demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric urolithiasis, etiology, treatment management, disease recurrence and patient outcomes in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study of pediatric patients admitted to the Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão in Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, who were diagnosed with urolithiasis, from January 2002 to December 2012. Data were obtained from medical records. Those patients with diagnosis confirmed by imaging and 24hr urine or single sample urine were included. RESULTS: We evaluated 106 pediatric patients (65% M). Average age at diagnosis was 8.0 ± 4.2 and 85% of them had positive family history of urolithiasis. Abdominal pain, renal colic and urinary tract infection were the main manifestations. 93.2% had metabolic abnormality and hypercalciuria was the most common. Pharmacological treatment was established in 78% of cases. Potassium citrate and hydrochlorothiazide were used. Surgical treatment was performed in 38% of patients. There was response to treatment in 39% of patients with recurrence of urolithiasis in 34.2% of them. Only 4.7% of patients continued follow-up, 6.6% were referred to other services, 8.5% were discharged and 73.8% lost follow-up. CONCLUSION: Pediatric urolithiasis deserves a detailed metabolic evaluation after their initial presentation for treatment, monitoring and prevention of its formation and its complications.

Urolitíase pediátrica: experiência de um hospital infantil de cuidados terciários / Pediatric urolithiasis: experience at a tertiary care pediatric hospital

Resumo Introdução: A urolitíase pediátrica tornou-se mais prevalente nas últimas décadas, com altas taxas de recorrência e considerável morbidade. A maioria das crianças com urolitíase idiopática tem uma anormalidade metabólica subjacente e a investigação adequada permite intervenções terapêuticas para reduzir a formação de novos cálculos e suas complicações. Objetivos: Identificar características demográficas e clínicas da urolitíase pediátrica, a etiologia, condutas terapêuticas, recidiva da doença e evolução dos pacientes em um hospital infantil de cuidados terciários. Métodos: Estudo descritivo e retrospectivo com pacientes pediátricos internados no Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil, com diagnóstico de urolitíase, no período de janeiro 2002 a dezembro de 2012. Dados foram obtidos dos prontuários e foram incluídos aqueles com diagnóstico confirmado por exame de imagem e urina 24h ou amostra única urinária. Resultados: Foram avaliados 106 pacientes (65%M) pediátricos. Idade média ao diagnóstico 8,0 ± 4,2 e 85% tinham história familiar positiva para urolitíase. Dor abdominal, cólica nefrética clássica e infecção urinária foram as principais manifestações. 93,2% tinham alteração metabólica, sendo a hipercalciúria a mais comum. Tratamento farmacológico foi instituído em 78% dos casos. Utilizou-se citrato de potássio e hidroclorotiazida. Tratamento cirúrgico foi realizado em 38% dos pacientes. Houve resposta ao tratamento em 39% deles, com recidiva da urolitíase em 34,2%. Apenas 4,7% dos pacientes continuaram acompanhamento, 6,6% foram encaminhados para outros serviços, 8,5% receberam alta e 73,8% perderam acompanhamento. Conclusão: A urolitíase pediátrica merece avaliação metabólica detalhada após sua apresentação inicial para tratamento, acompanhamento e prevenção da formação lítica e de suas complicações.

Abstract Introduction: Pediatric urolithiasis has become more prevalent in recent decades, with high recurrence rates and considerable morbidity. Most children with idiopathic urolithiasis have an underlying metabolic abnormality and proper research provides therapeutic interventions to reduce the formation of new stones and its complications. Objective: To identify demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric urolithiasis, etiology, treatment management, disease recurrence and patient outcomes in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of pediatric patients admitted to the Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão in Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, who were diagnosed with urolithiasis, from January 2002 to December 2012. Data were obtained from medical records. Those patients with diagnosis confirmed by imaging and 24hr urine or single sample urine were included. Results: We evaluated 106 pediatric patients (65% M). Average age at diagnosis was 8.0 ± 4.2 and 85% of them had positive family history of urolithiasis. Abdominal pain, renal colic and urinary tract infection were the main manifestations. 93.2% had metabolic abnormality and hypercalciuria was the most common. Pharmacological treatment was established in 78% of cases. Potassium citrate and hydrochlorothiazide were used. Surgical treatment was performed in 38% of patients. There was response to treatment in 39% of patients with recurrence of urolithiasis in 34.2% of them. Only 4.7% of patients continued follow-up, 6.6% were referred to other services, 8.5% were discharged and 73.8% lost follow-up. Conclusion: Pediatric urolithiasis deserves a detailed metabolic evaluation after their initial presentation for treatment, monitoring and prevention of its formation and its complications.

Lesão renal aguda em crianças: incidência e fatores prognósticos em pacientes gravemente enfermos / Acute kidney injury in children: incidence and prognostic factors in critical ill patients

OBJETIVOS: Lesão renal aguda caracteriza-se pela redução súbita e, em geral, reversível da função renal com perda da capacidade de manutenção da homeostase do organismo. Em pediatria, as principais causas de lesão renal aguda são sepse, uso de drogas nefrotóxicas e isquemia renal nos pacientes criticamente enfermos. Nesses pacientes, a incidência de lesão renal aguda varia de 20 a 30 por cento, resultando em aumento da taxa de morbi-mortalidade de 40 a 90 por cento. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a incidência de lesão renal aguda nos pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva, classificar a gravidade da lesão renal aguda de acordo com o Pediatric Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-Stage (pRIFLE), analisar a relação entre lesão renal aguda e a gravidade através do Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) e estudar os fatores prognósticos associados. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo prospectivo entre julho de 2008 a janeiro de 2009 dos pacientes internados na unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica do Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão - Florianópolis (SC) - Brasil. Todos os pacientes foram analisados diariamente através do débito urinário e creatinina sérica e classificados de acordo com pRIFLE. RESULTADOS: No período de acompanhamento foram internadas 235 crianças. A incidência de lesão renal aguda foi de 30,6 por cento, sendo que o pRIFLE máximo durante a internação foi de 12,1 por cento para R, 12,1 por cento para I e 6,4 por cento para F. A taxa de mortalidade foi de 12,3 por cento. Os pacientes que evoluíram com lesão renal aguda apresentaram risco dez vezes maior de óbito em relação aos não expostos. CONCLUSÃO: Lesão renal aguda é uma entidade comum nos pacientes críticos. O diagnóstico precoce a e instituição imediata de medidas terapêuticas adequadas a cada situação clínica podem alterar o curso e a gravidade do envolvimento renal reduzindo a morbi-mortalidade do paciente.

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury is characterized by sudden and generally revertible renal function impairment involving inability to maintain homeostasis. In pediatrics, the main causes of acute kidney injury are sepsis, use of nephrotoxic drugs and renal ischemia in critically ill patients. The incidence of acute kidney injury in these patients ranges from 20 to 30 percent, resulting in increased morbid-mortality, a 40 to 90 percent rate. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of acute kidney injury in intensive care unit patients, to categorize the severity of the acute kidney injury according to the Pediatric Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-Stage (pRIFLE), examine the relationship between the acute kidney injury and severity using the Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) and to analyze outcome predictors. METHODS: A prospective study of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão - Florianópolis / SC - Brazil was conducted between July 2008 and January 2009. Were evaluated daily the urine output and serum creatinine, and the patients were categorized according to the pRIFLE criteria. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 235 children were admitted. The incidence of acute kidney injury was 30.6 percent, and the maximal pRIFLE score during hospitalization was 12.1 percent for R, 12.1 percent for I and 6.4 percent for F. The mortality rate was 12.3 percent. The patients who developed acute kidney injury had a ten times bigger risk of death versus the not exposed patients. CONCLUSIONS: Acute kidney injury is frequent in critically ill patients. Early diagnosis and prompt and appropriate therapy for each clinical aspect may change this condition's course and severity, and reduce the patients' morbidity and mortality.

Acute kidney injury in children: incidence and prognostic factors in critical ill patients. / Lesão renal aguda em crianças: incidência e fatores prognósticos em pacientes gravemente enfermos.

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury is characterized by sudden and generally revertible renal function impairment involving inability to maintain homeostasis. In pediatrics, the main causes of acute kidney injury are sepsis, use of nephrotoxic drugs and renal ischemia in critically ill patients. The incidence of acute kidney injury in these patients ranges from 20 to 30%, resulting in increased morbid-mortality, a 40 to 90% rate. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of acute kidney injury in intensive care unit patients, to categorize the severity of the acute kidney injury according to the Pediatric Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-Stage (pRIFLE), examine the relationship between the acute kidney injury and severity using the Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) and to analyze outcome predictors. METHODS: A prospective study of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão - Florianópolis / SC - Brazil was conducted between July 2008 and January 2009. Were evaluated daily the urine output and serum creatinine, and the patients were categorized according to the pRIFLE criteria. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 235 children were admitted. The incidence of acute kidney injury was 30.6%, and the maximal pRIFLE score during hospitalization was 12.1% for R, 12.1% for I and 6.4% for F. The mortality rate was 12.3%. The patients who developed acute kidney injury had a ten times bigger risk of death versus the not exposed patients. CONCLUSIONS: Acute kidney injury is frequent in critically ill patients. Early diagnosis and prompt and appropriate therapy for each clinical aspect may change this condition's course and severity, and reduce the patients' morbidity and mortality.