Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2025
A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis
Published on: January 7, 2018
Reduced kidney function in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants at preschool age
Chia-Huei Chen1,2,3, Jui-Hsing Chang1,2, Chyong-Hsin Hsu1
1Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital, No. 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Taipei City, 10449, Taiwan.
Insights
Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm children show diminished kidney function and higher blood pressure by preschool age. Long-term monitoring of kidney health is crucial for this vulnerable group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants face risks for adverse health outcomes.
- While neurological and cardiovascular complications are studied, long-term kidney function in VLBW infants requires further investigation.
- This study focuses on comparing kidney function in VLBW preterm and term infants at 5-6 years of age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare kidney function between very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm children and term-born children at 5-6 years of age.
- To assess differences in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum markers, and blood pressure.
- To investigate the association between perinatal growth and kidney function in VLBW preterm children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving comprehensive kidney function and blood pressure assessments.
- Calculation of eGFR using serum creatinine (Cr) and cystatin C (CysC) with CKiD-U25 equations.
- Monitoring of perinatal growth rates in the preterm group to explore associations with kidney function.
Main Results:
- VLBW preterm children had significantly higher serum CysC, lower eGFR-CysC, and smaller kidney length compared to term children.
- 72% of VLBW preterm children exhibited abnormal eGFR-CysC levels (<90 mL/min/1.73 m²).
- Preterm children showed higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures; however, perinatal growth did not significantly impact kidney function at preschool age.
Conclusions:
- Kidney function may be diminished in VLBW preterm children by preschool age.
- No significant effects of perinatal risk factors or growth on kidney function were observed in this cohort.
- Long-term monitoring of kidney health is essential for VLBW preterm children due to potential long-term renal impairment.
Background:
Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants have significant risk factors for adverse health outcomes. Previous studies have focused on neurological, pulmonary, and cardiovascular complications, but the long-term outcomes of other organ functions particularly kidney function warrant further investigation. This prospective study aimed to compare kidney function between VLBW preterm and term infants at 5-6 years of age.
Methods:
Participants underwent comprehensive assessments of kidney function and blood pressure. Estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) for serum creatinine (Cr) and cystatin C (CysC) were calculated using the CKiD-U25 equations, and comparative analyses conducted between preterm and term groups. In the preterm group, perinatal growth rates of weight and height at various stages were monitored to investigate their potential association with kidney function.
Results:
A total of 61 VLBW preterm and 40 term children participated in the study. The preterm group exhibited significantly higher serum CysC levels (0.97 vs. 0.87 mg/L, p = 0.001), lower eGFR-CysC (82.3 vs. 93.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001), and smaller kidney length compared to the term group. Notably, 72% of VLBW preterm children exhibited abnormal eGFR-CysC levels (< 90 mL/min/1.73 m2). Preterm children exhibited significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures, but growth velocities and perinatal characteristics did not significantly affect kidney function at preschool age.
Conclusions:
Kidney function may be diminished in VLBW preterm children at preschool age. However, no significant effects of perinatal risk factors or growth on kidney function were observed. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing long-term monitoring of kidney health in this vulnerable population.
