Acute renal failure in Indian and Black patients.

This preliminary study of 50 patients suffering from acute renal failure showed the aetiology to be medical in 30 patients, gynaecological in 9 patients, abstetric 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 commonest 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 affecting prognosis were septicaemia, jaundice, the cause itself of the acute renal failure, and delay in beginning dialysis.