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Transcutaneous Assessment of Renal Function in Conscious Rodents
Published on: March 26, 2016
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How should we assess renal function in neonates and infants?
Guido Filler1,2, Vipin Bhayana2, Clara Schott3
1Departments of Paediatrics, Medicine, and The Lilibeth Caberto Kidney Clinical Research Unit, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 2, 2020
Summary
Assessing neonatal renal function is complex due to factors affecting kidney development. Cystatin C shows promise as a superior biomarker for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nephrogenesis is influenced by prematurity, genetics, and maternal factors, impacting lifelong renal function.
- Neonatal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) matures over the first 18 months, with significant variability.
- Accurate assessment of renal function is crucial for drug dosing in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on assessing renal function in neonates.
- To evaluate the utility of different biomarkers for estimating GFR in neonates.
- To present preliminary data on the evolution of cystatin C-based GFR in infancy.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review.
- Analysis of previously collected data.
- Evaluation of cystatin C as a biomarker for neonatal GFR.
Main Results:
- Serum creatinine is unreliable for neonatal renal function assessment due to maternal transfer.
- Cystatin C, which does not cross the placenta, is a potential superior biomarker for GFR estimation.
- Preliminary data on the natural evolution of cystatin C-based eGFR in infancy is presented.
Conclusions:
- Cystatin C may be a more reliable biomarker for estimating GFR in neonates compared to creatinine.
- Optimal drug dosing strategies for renally excreted medications in neonates require further investigation.
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