Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
10:25
In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow
Published on: February 4, 2015
Renovascular hypertension commencing during fetal life
Shivaram Hegde1, Christopher Wright, Mohan Shenoy
1Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, UK.
Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|September 23, 2006
Summary
Severe infant hypertension linked to unilateral renovascular disease may originate in fetal life. Histological kidney patterns in affected infants could serve as a marker for this prenatal condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Fetal Medicine
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Unilateral renovascular disease can cause severe early-onset hypertension in infants.
- Prenatal cardiovascular changes and polycythemia suggest fetal impact.
Observation:
- Three infants presented with severe, early-onset hypertension.
- The hypertension was attributed to unilateral renovascular disease.
- Evidence of fetal involvement included cardiovascular changes and/or polycythemia.
Findings:
- All infants underwent successful unilateral nephrectomy.
- Histological examination revealed patchy areas with relatively normal glomeruli and immature proximal tubules.
- This specific renal histology was consistent across all cases.
Implications:
- The observed renal histological pattern may indicate renovascular disease during fetal development.
- Early identification of fetal renovascular disease could lead to timely interventions.
- Understanding prenatal origins of hypertension is crucial for long-term infant health.
Related Concept Videos
01:33Hormonal Regulation
The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
01:29Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy
Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
01:14Fetal Circulation
Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...