Acute Kidney Injury, Fluid Overload, and Renal Replacement Therapy Differ by Underlying Diagnosis in Neonatal Extracorporeal Support and Impact Mortality Disparately

Abstract

Introduction: We aimed to characterize acute kidney injury (AKI), fluid overload (FO), and renal replacement therapy (RRT) utilization by diagnostic categories and examine associations between these complications and mortality by category.

Methods: To test our hypotheses, we conducted a retrospective multicenter, cohort study including 446 neonates (categories: 209 with cardiac disease, 114 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia [CDH], 123 with respiratory disease) requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2011.

Results: AKI, FO, and RRT each varied by diagnostic category. AKI and RRT receipt were most common in those neonates with cardiac disease. Subjects with CDH had highest peak %FO (51% vs. 28% cardiac vs. 32% respiratory; p < 0.01). Hospital survival was 55% and varied by diagnostic category (45% cardiac vs. 48% CDH vs. 79% respiratory; p < 0.001). A significant interaction suggested risk of mortality differed by diagnostic category in the presence or absence of AKI. In its absence, diagnosis of CDH (vs. respiratory disease) (OR 3.04, 95% CL 1.14-8.11) independently predicted mortality. In all categories, peak %FO (OR 1.20, 95% CL 1.11-1.30) and RRT receipt (OR 2.12, 95% CL 1.20-3.73) were independently associated with mortality.

Discussion/conclusions: Physiologically distinct ECMO diagnoses warrant individualized treatment strategies given variable incidence and effects of AKI, FO, and RRT by category on mortality.

Keywords: Continuous renal replacement therapy; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Extracorporeal therapy; Renal dysfunction; Renal failure; Renal injury.