Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Fetal renal impairment.

Tina Vanderheyden1, Sailesh Kumar, Nicholas M Fisk

  • 1Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital,Imperial College, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12OSH, UK. t.vanderheyden@ic.ac.uk

Seminars in Neonatology : SN
|March 6, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Fetal renal impairment (FRI) can cause severe complications like lung hypoplasia and neonatal death due to conditions like lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO). While fetal therapies exist, their effectiveness and risks remain debated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Strong Families Study: protocol for a co-designed birth cohort study with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Queensland, Australia.

BMJ open·2026
Same author

Impact of preoperative nutritional status on colorectal surgery outcomes.

Bioinformation·2026
Same author

The Routine 36-Week Scan-Is It Time for a Change in Policy and Practice? The Arguments for a Routine Third Trimester Ultrasound in Australian Healthcare.

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology·2026
Same author

Prevalence and Survival Outcomes of L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule-Positive in Endometrial Cancer Across Molecular Subtypes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

JCO global oncology·2026
Same author

A Phase 1 Prognostic Trial for Predicting Paediatric Allergy Using the Placenta at Birth.

Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology·2026
Same author

Improving care in pregnancies after perinatal loss: A national survey of maternity services in Australia.

Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives·2026

Area of Science:

  • Perinatology
  • Fetal Medicine
  • Pediatric Nephrology

Background:

  • Fetal kidney function in utero primarily involves urine production, with the placenta clearing metabolites.
  • Fetal renal impairment (FRI) in bilateral renal disease manifests as oligohydramnios or anhydramnios, potentially causing lung hypoplasia and neonatal death.
  • FRI is categorized into prerenal, renal, and postrenal causes, including intrauterine growth restriction, genetic kidney diseases, and lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the causes, consequences, and potential treatments for fetal renal impairment (FRI).
  • To discuss the diagnostic presentation and prognostic indicators of FRI, particularly in cases of bilateral renal disease.
  • To evaluate the current evidence and controversies surrounding fetal therapies for conditions like LUTO.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on fetal renal function, impairment, and therapeutic interventions.
  • Analysis of causes of FRI, including genetic, environmental, and obstructive factors.
  • Examination of outcomes associated with FRI and the efficacy/risks of interventions like vesico-amniotic shunting and fetal cystoscopy.

Main Results:

  • Severe mid-trimester oligohydramnios in bilateral renal disease indicates a poor prognosis.
  • Animal studies suggest fetal kidney decompression can restore pulmonary and renal function.
  • Fetal therapies like vesico-amniotic shunting have controversial efficacy due to high complication rates and risk of childhood end-stage renal failure.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal renal impairment presents significant risks to fetal development and neonatal survival.
  • While fetal interventions show promise, their controversial outcomes necessitate careful consideration.
  • Investigational procedures like fetal cystoscopic treatment offer potential alternatives for managing conditions like posterior urethral valves.