Acute kidney injury following envenomation by African bees in an eight-year-old: Case report

Abstract

Background: Acute Kidney injury is a very rare complication of bee sting envenomation. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality and early identification of acute kidney injury and management can be life-saving in children.

Case report: An eight-year-old boy referred to our unit from a peripheral hospital after he was stung by a swarm of bees. He developed features of acute kidney injury and was commenced on steroids, antihistamines and peritoneal dialysis. The urine output improved by the third day and kidney function normalized by the seventh day upon which the peritoneal dialysis was stopped. The child was discharged from the hospital two days later with full recovery.

Conclusion: Acute kidney injury is a rare but serious complication of bee sting envenomation. Good supportive management is very important for good outcomes. Acute peritoneal dialysis is an effective renal replacement modality in children with bee sting associated acute kidney injury.

Keywords: Bee sting envenomation, acute kidney injury, acute tubular necrosis, rhabdomyolysis, peritoneal dialysis