Tubulointerstitial renal failure in childhood leptospirosis

Pediatr Emerg Care. 1999 Oct;15(5):332-4. doi: 10.1097/00006565-199910000-00009.

Abstract

We report three children with tubulointerstitial renal failure following leptospirosis. All had acute nonoliguric renal failure with mild hypocalemia and mild metabolic acidosis. Maximum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were 217 and 7.1 mg/dl, respectively, on the 6th day of disease, and no patient required dialysis. They presented with acute febrile illness and dehydration, and required intravenous fluid supplements. Myalgia, vomiting, and bleeding were found in two children. Abdominal pain, arthralgia, diarrhea, and conjunctival suffusion were found in one child. Only one child, who had an underlying disease of beta-thalassemia/Hb E, had jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Penicillin treatment was given in one case. All recovered, with normal renal function. The leptospirosis complement fixation test was used to confirm diagnosis. L. batavia was considered the etiologic agent in two of the children.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / microbiology*
  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leptospira / classification
  • Leptospirosis / complications*
  • Leptospirosis / diagnosis
  • Leptospirosis / microbiology
  • Male
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / complications
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / microbiology*
  • Serotyping
  • Thailand