Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalised patients. The objectives in this study were (i) to investigate the incidence of AKI using the National Health Services (NHS) AKI e-alert algorithm as a means of identifying AKI; and (ii) in a randomly selected sub-group of children with AKI identified using the algorithm, to evaluate the recognition and management of AKI. Patients and Methods:Retrospective cross-sectional study with initial electronic retrieval of creatinine measurements at six hospitals in England over a six-month period. Results were evaluated using the NHS AKI e-alert algorithm with recognition and management of AKI stages 1, 2 and 3 reviewed in a sub-set of randomly selected patient case notes. Patients aged 29 to 17 years were included. AKI stage 1 was defined as a rise of 1.5 -≤2x baseline creatinine level; AKI stage 2 a rise of ≤ 2.0 and < 3.0; AKI stage 3 a rise of ≥ 3.0. Urine output was not considered for AKI staging.Results: 57,278 creatinine measurements were analysed. 5,325 (10.8%) AKI alerts were noted in 1,112 patients with AKI 1 (62%), AKI 2 (16%) and AKI 3 (22%). There were 222 (20%) <1y, 432 (39%) 1 ≤ 6y, 192 (17%) 6 ≤ 11y, 207 (19%) 11 ≤ 16y, and 59 (5%) 16-17y. Case notes of 123 of 1,112 [11.1%] children with AKI alerts were reviewed. Confirmed AKI was recognised with a documented management plan following its identification in n = 32 [26%] patients only. Conclusions:In this first multicentre study of the incidence of AKI in children admitted to selected hospitals across England, the incidence of AKI was 10.8% with most patients under the age of 6 years and with AKI stage 1. Recognition and management of AKI was seen in just over 25% children. These data highlight the need to improve recognition of AKI in hospitalised children in the UK.

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Background There are limited data regarding vitamin and trace element blood concentrations and supplementation needs in children with non-dialysis stages 3-5 of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods Retrospective cross-sectional review for nutritional blood concentrations measured over a recent 2-year period. In our CKD clinics, nutritional bloods including copper, zinc, selenium and vitamin A, vitamin E, active vitamin B 12 and folate are monitored annually. Vitamin D status is monitored every 6-12 months. Results We reviewed 112 children (70 boys) with median (IQ1, IQ3) age 8.97 (4.24, 13.80) years. Estimated median (IQ1, IQ3) GFR (mL/min/1.73 m 2) was 28 (21, 37). Vitamin A, active vitamin B 12 and vitamin E concentrations were within normal range in 19%, 23% and 67% respectively, with all others being above normal range. Vitamin D blood concentrations were within desired range for 85% (15% had low levels) and folate blood concentrations were within normal range in 92%, with the remainder above or below target. For trace elements, 60%, 85% and 87% achieved normal ranges for zinc, selenium and copper respectively. Deficiencies were seen for zinc (35%), copper (7%), folate (3%) and selenium (1%), whilst 5%, 6% and 14% had zinc, copper and selenium levels above normal ranges. Conclusions Several vitamin and trace element blood concentrations were outside normal reference ranges. Monitoring vitamin D and zinc blood concentrations is indicated due to the percentages with low levels in this group. Targeted vitamin and trace element supplementation should be considered where indicated rather than commencing multivitamin and/or mineral supplementation.