Overview of renal failure

What is renal failure?

Renal failure refers to temporary or permanent damage to the kidneys that results in loss of normal kidney function. There are two different types of renal failure - acute and chronic. Acute renal failure has an abrupt onset and is potentially reversible. Chronic failure progresses slowly over at least three months and can lead to permanent renal failure. The causes, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes of acute and chronic are different.

Conditions that may lead to acute or chronic renal failure may include, but are not limited to, the following:

What are the symptoms of renal failure?

The symptoms for acute and chronic renal failure may be different. The following are the most common symptoms of acute and chronic renal failure. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

Acute:

(Symptoms of acute renal failure depend largely on the underlying cause.)

• Hemorrhage
• Fever
• Rash
• Bloody diarrhea
• Severe vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• No urine output or high urine output
• History of recent infection
• Pale skin
• History of taking certain medications
• History of trauma
• Swelling of the tissues
• Inflammation of the eye
• Detectable abdominal mass
• Exposure to heavy metals or toxic solvents

Chronic:

• Poor appetite
• Vomiting
• Bone pain
• Headache
• Stunted growth
• Malaise
• High urine output or no urine output
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Urinary incontinence
• Pale skin
• Bad breath
• Hearing deficit
• Detectable abdominal mass
• Tissue swelling
• Irritability
• Poor muscle tone
• Change in mental alertness

The symptoms of acute and chronic renal failure may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

How is renal failure diagnosed?

In addition to a physical examination and complete medical history, your child's physician may order the following diagnostic tests:

• Blood tests - to determine blood cell counts, electrolyte levels, and kidney function
• Urine tests
• Chest x-ray - a diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film
• Bone scan - a nuclear imaging method to evaluate any degenerative and/or arthritic changes in the joints; to detect bone diseases and tumors; to determine the cause of bone pain or inflammatio.
• Renal ultrasound (Also called sonography.) - a non-invasive test in which a transducer is passed over the kidney producing sound waves which bounce off the kidney, transmitting a picture of the organ on a video screen. The test is used to determine the size and shape of the kidney, and to detect a mass, kidney stone, cyst, or other obstruction or abnormalities.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
• Renal biopsy - a procedure in which tissue samples are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope.

Treatment for acute and chronic renal failure:

Specific treatment for renal failure will be determined by your child's physician based on:

• Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• The extent of the disease
• The type of disease (acute or chronic)
• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• Your opinion or preference

Treatment of acute renal failure depends on the underlying cause. Treatment may include:

• Hospitalization
• Administration of intravenous (IV) fluids in large volumes (to replace depleted blood volume)
• Diuretic therapy or medications (to increase urine output)
• Close monitoring of important electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and calcium
• Medications (to control blood pressure)
• Specific diet requirements

In some cases, children may develop severe electrolyte disturbances and toxic levels of certain waste products normally eliminated by the kidneys. Children may also develop fluid overload. Dialysis may be indicated in these cases.

Treatment of chronic renal failure depends on the degree of kidney function that remains. Treatment may include:

• Medications (to help with growth, prevent bone density loss, and/or to treat anemia)
• Diuretic therapy or medications (to increase urine output)
• Specific diet restrictions
• Dialysis
• Kidney transplantation

Most children with renal failure are followed by a pediatrician and a nephrologist (a physician who specializes in disorders or diseases of the kidneys).