Acute renal failure in childhood.

The definition of acute renal failure is a sudden reduction in renal function of at least 50 percent and is characterised by rising serum levels of waste products such as urea and creatinine, by disturbed water and electrolyte metabolism and changes in the amount or composition of the urine. The clinical manifestations are extremely variable, there are very many causes and the outcome depends mainly on the underlying condition, which is either in the kidneys or in the body as a whole. This paper will discuss the pathophysiology of acute renal failure and the aetiology including prerenal, renal and postrenal causes. Clinical findings, diagnosis and treatment will be discussed and complications of this life-threatening condition highlighted. The final part of the paper deals with the prognosis of acute renal failure.