Recurrent acute kidney injury in preterm neonates is common and associated with worse outcomes and higher mortality.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in preterm neonates is associated with poor outcomes that may worsen in the setting of recurrent episodes of AKI. This study defines and studies the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of recurrent AKI (rAKI). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of the neonates born at a gestational age of ≤28 weeks admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between January 2014 and December 2018. We identified AKI based on the serum creatinine (Scr) concentrations using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. rAKI was defined as the occurrence of AKI after Scr from the prior AKI had returned to baseline. RESULTS: Forty-nine of the 205 (24%) preterm neonates developed rAKI. An earlier diagnosis (<7 days old) and a higher KDIGO stage (stage 3) at the initial episode of AKI was associated with rAKI (p = 0.03). Preterm neonates with rAKI had higher mortality as compared to those with a single episode of AKI (sAKI) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.55, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12-18.51). Length of stay (LOS) was longer among neonates with rAKI as compared to those with sAKI by 36 days (95% CI 24.9-47.1). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent AKI in preterm neonates was associated with earlier episodes and higher KDIGO stage of the initial AKI episode. Neonates with rAKI had higher mortality and longer LOS compared to those with sAKI. IMPACT: Definition and study of the incidence of rAKI and its associated outcomes among preterm neonates. Recurrent AKI is common among preterm neonates and may contribute to worse outcomes for premature neonates in the NICU. Early recognition of the risk factors for AKI, and effective management of initial AKI and early phase of recurrent AKI may improve outcomes of these preterm neonates.

Correlates of Linkage to HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among HIV-Testing Clients.

BACKGROUND: Publicly funded HIV-testing sites can identify HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) candidates and provide PrEP linkage. SETTING: Harris Health System's HIV clinic, HIV-testing program, and HIV-prevention program (HPP) in Houston, TX, a high HIV-incidence city. METHODS: A prospective assessment of individuals aged 18 years and older recruited from walk-in HIV testing from December 2013 to April 2015 included risk assessment, HIV testing, and self-administered survey, with follow-up surveys at 6 and 12 months and medical record review. RESULTS: The mean age of our sample (n = 300) was 38.3 ± 11.7 years. Men constituted 63.1% of the sample and 53.7% were black non-Hispanic, 26.3% Hispanic, and 14.7% white non-Hispanic. Most were uninsured (63.5%). Only 27% always used condoms, although 67% perceived personal HIV risk. Of 300 participants, 64 (21.3%) linked to PrEP care and 49 (16.3%) took PrEP. In multivariable analysis, compared with heterosexual men, women [adjusted OR (aOR) 4.1, 95% CI: 1.5 to 11.1] and MSM (aOR 10.2, 95% CI: 3.4 to 31.0) were more likely to attend HPP and to take PrEP (aOR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.6 to 15.1 and 3.0, 95% CI: 1.1 to 8.3, respectively). Serodiscordance and PrEP interest correlated with program attendance (aOR 14.0, 95% CI: 6.1 to 32.3 and aOR 6.7, 95% CI: 1.8 to 25.4) and taking PrEP (aOR 13.1, 95% CI: 5.2 to 32.8 and 14.4, 95% CI: 1.8 to 166.9), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preexposure prophylaxis interest, being female or MSM, and serodiscordance correlated with PrEP linkage. Safety-net health systems can facilitate PrEP access in marginalized populations, but the PrEP initiation rates remain low.