Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
06:37
An Immature Murine Model of Reversible Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction
Published on: April 4, 2025
1.0K
Infant Breastfeeding and Kidney Function in School-Aged Children
Kozeta Miliku1, Trudy Voortman2, Hanneke Bakker1
1The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Summary
Breastfeeding is linked to better kidney development in children. Longer and exclusive breastfeeding is associated with larger kidney volume and improved kidney function (eGFR) in school-aged children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Life Course Studies
Background:
- Early life nutrition significantly impacts long-term kidney health.
- Understanding the effects of infant feeding practices on kidney development is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding (duration, exclusivity) and age of solid food introduction with kidney outcomes at school age.
- To assess kidney volume, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and microalbuminuria in relation to early feeding patterns.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 5,043 children in the Netherlands, from fetal life onward.
- Infant feeding data collected prospectively via questionnaires.
- Kidney outcomes (volume, eGFR, microalbuminuria) measured at a median age of 6.0 years.
Main Results:
- Never-breastfed children had smaller kidney volumes and lower eGFR compared to ever-breastfed children.
- Shorter breastfeeding duration correlated with smaller kidney volume and increased microalbuminuria risk.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for 4 months was associated with better kidney outcomes than nonexclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding is associated with beneficial subclinical kidney outcomes in childhood.
- Further research is warranted to determine if early nutrition influences adult kidney disease risk.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
362
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...
362
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
391
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...
391
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
507
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,...
507
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
863
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
863
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
331
In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
331
01:17Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
564
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...
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...
564