Frequency of and Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury Associated With Vancomycin Use in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND: Published information evaluating frequency of and risk factors for vancomycin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) population is conflicting. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to describe the proportion of our PICU patients who developed AKI with intravenous (IV) vancomycin. The secondary objective was to describe the associated potential risk factors. METHODS: Pediatric patients (0–18 years) who received their first IV vancomycin dose in the PICU were evaluated in this retrospective chart review. AKI was defined based on Pediatric-Modified RIFLE (pRIFLE) criteria. Patient demographics, vancomycin trough concentrations, concomitant nephrotoxins, and estimated creatinine clearance changes were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 265 patients included, the primary outcome of AKI (defined by meeting any pRIFLE criteria) occurred in 62 (23.4%) patients (48 category R, 11 category I, 3 category F). Patients who received vancomycin treatment for = 5 days were more likely to develop AKI (unadjusted odds ratio [uOR]: 2.52; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11–5.73), as were patients with a maximum vancomycin trough level = 20 mg/L (OR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.54–5.78) and patients on 1 (uOR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.12–4.66) or more concurrent nephrotoxin (uOR: 3.11; 95% CI: 1.43–6.77). Among nephrotoxins, patients receiving furosemide concomitantly with vancomycin were more likely to develop AKI (uOR: 3.47; 95% CI: 1.92–6.27). After adjustment, only furosemide was a significant predictor of risk of AKI/AKI (adjusted OR: 3.52; 95% CI: 1.88–6.62). The study was limited by its retrospective and observational design, and confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who were receiving vancomycin with concurrent furosemide were at highest risk of developing AKI.