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Renal function and kidney length in preterm infants with nephrocalcinosis: a longitudinal study

Vasileios Giapros1, Constantina Tsoni, Anna Challa

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece. vgiapros@cc.uoi.gr

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|May 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Nephrocalcinosis (NC) in preterm infants is linked to impaired kidney tubular function and shorter kidney length (KL) during the first year of life. Early detection of these renal changes is crucial for long-term health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Renal Physiology

Background:

  • Early life renal injury can predispose to adult hypertension and renal disease.
  • Nephrocalcinosis (NC) is a condition observed in preterm infants, potentially impacting kidney development and function.
  • Understanding the long-term renal consequences of prematurity-associated NC is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess renal glomerular and tubular function in preterm infants with NC.
  • To measure kidney length (KL) in preterm infants with NC.
  • To investigate the association between NC and renal parameters during the first two years of life.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 107 preterm infants (63 with NC, 44 controls).
  • Kidney function assessed via serum creatinine, eGFR, fractional excretion of electrolytes and uric acid, and urinary analyte to creatinine ratios.
  • Kidney length (KL) measured by ultrasonography at multiple time points from 40 weeks postmenstrual age to 24 months.

Main Results:

  • The NC group exhibited higher urinary calcium to creatinine ratios (UCa/Ucr), fractional excretion of potassium (FEK), and fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA) at 3 and 6 months.
  • Elevated UCa/Ucr and FEUA persisted at 12 months in the NC group.
  • The NC group showed a shorter kidney length (KL) up to 12 months (left) and 24 months (right).

Conclusions:

  • Nephrocalcinosis in preterm infants is associated with impaired renal tubular function in the first year of life.
  • Preterm infants with NC demonstrate reduced kidney length during early childhood.
  • These findings highlight the importance of monitoring renal function and development in preterm infants with NC.

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