[Echography of the normal kidney in infants]

In 33 infants from 0 to 11 months old, apparently without urinary tract disease, the kidneys were examined sonographically. Renal length was correlated with age and bodyweight. The renal echopattern was studied: Normal kidneys in newborn and young infants have several distinct sonographic features: the renal cortex is more echogenic, the medullary pyramids are prominent and relatively anechoic, the central sinus echo is reduced. This pattern occurs until the age of 3 months and changes to the adult pattern at the age of 5 months.