Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

An Immature Murine Model of Reversible Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction
06:37

An Immature Murine Model of Reversible Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

Published on: April 4, 2025

Renal function in early childhood in very low birthweight infants

Silvia Iacobelli1, Sabrina Loprieno, Francesco Bonsante

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Dijon, France.

American Journal of Perinatology
|November 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Very low birthweight (VLBW) ex-preterm children showed subtle renal function changes. Neonatal hypotension and early catch-up growth were linked to later microalbuminuria, indicating potential kidney disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nephrology
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants face risks for long-term health issues, including kidney problems.
  • Early renal function assessment is crucial for identifying potential risks in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate childhood renal function in very low birthweight (VLBW) ex-preterm children.
  • To correlate perinatal risk factors and postnatal growth with renal findings in early childhood.
  • To identify early indicators of kidney disease risk in VLBW survivors.

Main Methods:

  • Physical examination, renal function tests, and ultrasound were performed on 48 VLBW ex-preterms aged 6.3–8.2 years.
  • Comparison with age-matched full-term controls.
  • Analysis of perinatal risk factors for acute renal failure (ARF) and postnatal growth patterns.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in blood pressure, renal ultrasound, kidney length, plasma creatinine, or clearance were found between VLBW ex-preterms and controls.
  • 8.3% of VLBW ex-preterms exhibited pathological microalbuminuria (ACR > 20 mg/g).
  • Neonatal hypotension was independently associated with microalbuminuria (ACR > 20 mg/g) in childhood (P = 0.009).
  • Microalbuminuria correlated with weight z-score at 12 months and weight catch-up growth at 6 and 12 months.

Conclusions:

  • In VLBW infants, neonatal hypotension and early catch-up growth are associated with subtle childhood renal function changes.
  • These findings highlight potential early markers for kidney disease risk in VLBW survivors.
  • Monitoring renal function in VLBW ex-preterms is essential for long-term health management.

More Related Videos

Transdermal Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Mechanically Ventilated Piglets07:41

Transdermal Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Mechanically Ventilated Piglets

Published on: September 13, 2022

Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney08:53

Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney

Published on: August 9, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment01:17

Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment

Renal dysfunction significantly impairs the renal clearance of drugs, leading to potential complications in drug therapy. Renal failure, which can be caused by various factors, poses a significant challenge in the elimination of drugs from the body.
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration01:28

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be estimated from serum creatinine using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula or the chronic kidney disease–epidemiology collaboration (CKD–EPI) equation. Both methods are widely used in clinical practice to assess kidney function and guide treatment decisions.The MDRD equation does not require weight or height measurements and is normalized to the body surface area of 1.73 m², considered the average adult surface area. This equation is...
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Serum Creatinine Concentration and Clearance01:25

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Serum Creatinine Concentration and Clearance

In healthy individuals, serum creatinine levels remain stable due to a balance between its constant production—primarily from muscle metabolism—and renal excretion. Creatinine is freely filtered by the glomeruli, making it a valuable marker for estimating renal function. When the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreases, the kidneys can only eliminate less creatinine, causing serum levels to rise.Serum creatinine concentration is widely used to estimate creatinine clearance (Clcr), a...