17 Nov 2025 • Extremely premature infants who develop acute kidney injury (AKI) face a significantly higher risk of death or major neurodevelopmental impairment by toddler age, according to a secondary analysis of the PENUT trial.

Among 660 babies born at 24–27 weeks’ gestation, 39% experienced AKI in the NICU, and these infants were 53% more likely to either die or have significant neurologic impairment at 22–26 months’ corrected age (aOR 1.53). They also had nearly double the odds of cognitive delay (aOR 1.94). The risk elevation remained consistent regardless of AKI stage or timing.

The findings position AKI as a critical early warning marker in extreme prematurity, reinforcing the need for closer renal surveillance and timely neurodevelopmental follow-up in this high-risk population.

Source: JAMA Network | Read Full Story