Your healthcare team will talk to you and your child about any long-term effects your child might have.
Most children fully recover from AKI. Some children will be left with long term damage called chronic kidney disease. The long-term effects on your child’s kidney function (how well the kidneys are working) depend on how severe the AKI is and whether it gets better with treatment.
Follow up
Your child may need to have follow-up appointments with your GP or at the hospital. It is important to go to these appointments, even if your child seems well. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions. At these appointments, your child may have:
- their height, weight and blood pressure checked
- a physical examination
- urine tests – to check for blood, protein and other substances in their urine
- blood tests – to check for the amount of protein and other substances in their blood, and measure their kidney function
Long-term problems
Children who have had AKI have a slightly higher risk of:
- proteinuria – an abnormal amount of protein in the urine
- hypertension – high blood pressure
A small number of children will have long-term problems with their kidneys. Their kidneys may stop working as well as they should. This can happen slowly, often over many years and is called chronic kidney disease (CKD). If your child has CKD, you and your family will learn more over time about how to help manage the condition, and what to expect.
Impact of AKI on your child and family
Children who have been successfully treated for AKI can usually do all the things that other children their age do. Your healthcare team will let you know when they can go back to school or nursery.