Acute Renal Failure in Indian and Black Patients

SUMMARY This preliminary study of 50 patients suffering from acute renal failure showed the aetiology to be medical in 30 patients, gynaecological in g patients, obstetric in 6 patients, and surgical in 5 patients. The commonest medical causes of acute renal failure were septicaemia and nephrotoxins (mainly from herbal medicines). The com­ monest gynaecological cause of acute renal failure was self-induced abortion. The relevant clinical and biochemical features are described. In spite of adequate dialysis and antibiotic therapy, the mortality was 34%. Adverse factors a~lecting prognosis were septicaemia, jaundice, the cause itself of the acute renal failure, and delay in beginning dialysis. s. Afr. med. J., 49, 1907 (1975). Acute renal failure (ARF) may be eminently treatable. To our knowledge there has been no other clinical study to determine the aetiology, clinical picture and mortality of patients in ARF since the advent of dialysis in South Africa. This is a clinical study of 50 patients in ARF.