Case Reports in Nephrology and Dialysis · Published 2026-04-28 · DOI 10.1159/000552212
<p>Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as an increase in serum creatinine with or without a reduction in urine output, according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines. Oxalate nephropathy (ON) is a rare cause of AKI in children. We report a case of oliguric AKI associated with exposure to a cosmetic hair-treatment product leading to ON. To our knowledge, there are limited reports of similar pediatric cases in Saudi Arabia. Case Presentation: An 8-year-old previously healthy girl presented with facial edema, abdominal distension, oliguria, and hypertension 2 days after a single application of an unidentified hair-treatment product. Laboratory evaluation confirmed severe AKI. Renal biopsy demonstrated acute tubular necrosis with calcium oxalate crystal deposition, confirming ON. She was managed conservatively with cautious fluid administration, intravenous furosemide, correction of electrolyte abnormalities, antihypertensive therapy, and a low-oxalate diet. Renal function normalized within 1 month, with sustained recovery and no evidence of recurrence on subsequent follow-up. Conclusion: Exposure to certain cosmetic hair-treatment products may cause secondary hyperoxaluria and AKI in children, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and stricter regulation of unlabeled cosmetic products to prevent potential nephrotoxicity. </p>
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