ACUTE-RENAL-FAILURE IN A CHILD ASSOCIATED WITH ACYCLOVIR

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