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Acute renal failure in a child associated with acyclovir

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Abstract

A 9-year-old boy developed acute renal failure following intravenous acyclovir (30 mg/kg per day) administered for 6 days to treat herpetic encephalitis. Physical findings and urine output were normal, except for increasing blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine and mild proteinuria. Acyclovir was discontinued. However BUN and serum creatinine continued to increase and peaked on the following day at 8.6 mmol/l of urea (24 mg/dl) and 194 μmol/l (2.2 mg/ml), respectively. Conservative treatment and hydration were carried out. The kidney function returned to normal within 1 week. The use of acyclovir when necessary in renal failure patients is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Thailand

    Prayong Vachvanichsanong

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

    Pisespong Patamasucon, Maricarmen Malagon & Eddie S. Moore

Authors
  1. Prayong Vachvanichsanong
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  2. Pisespong Patamasucon
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  3. Maricarmen Malagon
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  4. Eddie S. Moore
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Vachvanichsanong, P., Patamasucon, P., Malagon, M. et al. Acute renal failure in a child associated with acyclovir. Pediatr Nephrol 9, 346–347 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02254206

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02254206

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