Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow
10:25

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow

Published on: February 4, 2015

Perspectives on human perinatal renal tract disease

Adrian S Woolf1

  • 1Nephro-Urology Unit, University College London Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, UK. a.woolf@ich.ucl.ac.uk

Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
|November 13, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal renal tract diseases are a leading cause of childhood end-stage renal failure and later-life morbidity. Further research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of current treatments for protecting kidney function.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Fetal Medicine
  • Medical Genetics

Background:

  • Perinatal renal tract disease is the primary cause of end-stage renal failure in children.
  • These conditions can lead to significant long-term morbidity, including hypertension.
  • Current understanding of fetal diagnosis accuracy and lifetime outcomes for affected children is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the need for prospective trials evaluating existing therapies for protecting long-term kidney function.
  • To address uncertainties in prenatal diagnosis of renal tract disorders.
  • To explore the role of genetics in congenital renal malformations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current understanding and uncertainties in perinatal renal tract disease.
  • Identification of the need for prospective clinical trials.
  • Discussion of emerging genetic research in renal malformations.

Main Results:

  • Existing therapies like prenatal surgical decompression and postnatal drugs require efficacy trials for long-term kidney protection.
  • Specific drugs targeting renal cyst growth are under human investigation.
  • Genetic mutations are increasingly identified as causes for renal tract malformations.

Conclusions:

  • Prospective trials are essential to determine the long-term benefits of current and experimental treatments for perinatal renal tract disease.
  • Advances in genetics offer explanations for congenital kidney disorders.
  • Improved understanding and management are crucial for improving outcomes in affected children.

More Related Videos

A Mouse Model to Evaluate the Long-Term Structural and Functional Outcomes after the Reversal of Prolonged Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction05:34

A Mouse Model to Evaluate the Long-Term Structural and Functional Outcomes after the Reversal of Prolonged Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction

Published on: July 18, 2025

Isolation, Characterization, And High Throughput Extracellular Flux Analysis of Mouse Primary Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells09:40

Isolation, Characterization, And High Throughput Extracellular Flux Analysis of Mouse Primary Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Published on: June 20, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology01:29

Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology

Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
Kidney Transplant I: Introduction01:28

Kidney Transplant I: Introduction

A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such as Proteus,...
Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration01:29

Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration

The kidneys are vital organs responsible for regulating blood filtration, waste excretion, and fluid balance, all of which are crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Renal physiology examines renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and urine formation, ensuring the body’s internal environment remains stable.Renal Blood FlowThe kidneys receive about 20-25% of the cardiac output, typically around 1200 mL of blood per minute in an average adult. Blood flows into the kidneys through the renal...
Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct01:24

Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct

The renal tubule is divided into three parts: the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), the Loop of Henle (LOH), and the distal convoluted tubule (DCT).
Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT):
The PCT is the initial segment of the renal tubule, extending from the Bowman's capsule that encloses the glomerulus. Its convoluted structure and microvilli-lined cells increase the surface area for reabsorption. The PCT reabsorbs glucose, amino acids, sodium, and water from the filtrate, ensuring essential...