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World J Nephrol. Feb 6, 2012; 1(1): 16-24
Published online Feb 6, 2012. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v1.i1.16
Epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical characteristics and management of childhood cardiorenal syndrome
Wasiu A Olowu
Wasiu A Olowu, Paediatric Nephrology and Hypertension Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State 234, Nigeria
Wasiu A Olowu, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State 234, Nigeria
Author contributions: Olowu WA solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Wasiu A Olowu, MBBS, FMCPaed, Associate Professor of Paediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State 234, Nigeria. yetundeolowu@yahoo.com
Telephone: +234-36-230271 Fax: +234-36-2301041
Received: August 9, 2011
Revised: October 16, 2011
Accepted: December 27, 2011
Published online: February 6, 2012
Abstract

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a new term recently introduced to describe the acute or chronic comorbid state of the heart and kidney that has been long known and frequently managed in very sick individuals. The tight and delicate coordination of physiological functions among organ systems in the human body makes dysfunction in one to lead to malfunction of one or more other organ systems. CRS is a universal very common morbidity in the critically ill, with a high mortality rate that has received very little research attention in children. Simultaneous management of heart and renal failures in CRS is quite challenging; the therapeutic choice made for one organ must not jeopardize the other. This paper reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical characteristics and management of acute and chronic CRS in children.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Congestive heart failure; Chronic kidney disease; Ultrafiltration