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

Early postnatal renal growth in premature infants

Hsin-Ping Huang1, I-Jung Tsai, Yi-Chun Lai

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Nephrology (Carlton, Vic.)
|November 13, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Premature infants show different kidney growth rates depending on whether they develop in utero or ex utero. Intrauterine kidney growth appears to influence postnatal kidney volume development in neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Kidney development is crucial for long-term health.
  • Understanding kidney growth patterns in premature infants is essential for monitoring their development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess postnatal kidney volume development in premature infants.
  • To compare intrauterine and extrauterine kidney growth curves.

Main Methods:

  • Renal ultrasound was used to measure kidney volumes in 100 neonates.
  • Two groups were studied: those evaluated within 48 hours of birth (Group GA) and premature infants evaluated 14-96 days after birth (Group CA).
  • Correlation analysis included left kidney volume, body weight, body height, and age.

Main Results:

  • Group GA infants exhibited a significantly better kidney growth rate than Group CA infants.
  • Group CA infants had larger kidney volumes before 31 weeks but smaller volumes after 31 weeks compared to Group GA.
  • Group GA infants showed faster growth in body weight and height, but Group CA infants had larger kidney volumes for the same body weight.

Conclusions:

  • A chart of normal postnatal kidney volume growth up to 40 weeks conceptional age in premature infants is presented.
  • Intrauterine growth may regulate postnatal kidney growth.
  • Reduced kidney volume in premature infants might stem from the early extrauterine environment.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations01:29

Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) progresses through distinct clinical phases: the oliguric, diuretic, and recovery phases, each marked by unique manifestations and challenges.Oliguric Phase:The oliguric phase is the initial stage of AKI, typically lasting 10 to 14 days. This phase is marked by a significant reduction in urine output, usually less than 400 mL per day, indicating decreased kidney function. Fluid retention is a prominent feature, leading to symptoms such as edema, hypertension, and...
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...
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...
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...
Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure01:26

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management01:16

Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management

Postoperative Nursing Management for Kidney Transplant PatientsPostoperative nursing management care includes monitoring the surgical site, encouraging early movement, and promoting lung health through breathing exercises. Nurses also administer prescribed medications like H2-blockers, such as famotidine, or proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole, to help prevent gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding. Fungal infections in the mouth and bladder can result from immunosuppressive and antibiotic...