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Protecting Kidney Health in the First 1000 Days: The Pediatrician's Role in Safeguarding the Weakest

Luca Pecoraro1, Ilenia Chillura2, Agnese Bigioni3

  • 1Department of Experimental Medicine, Pediatric Section, University of Salento Hospital "Vito Fazzi", 73100 Lecce, Italy.

Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early kidney development is crucial for lifelong renal health. Pediatricians can identify at-risk infants and use early assessments and tailored follow-up to prevent chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Kidney development during the first 1000 days is susceptible to various prenatal, perinatal, and congenital influences.
  • Early-life kidney health is a critical determinant of long-term renal function and risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze key determinants of early kidney development.
  • To emphasize the role of pediatricians in identifying high-risk infants.
  • To outline preventive strategies for reducing CKD risk.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review integrating experimental, epidemiological, and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of risk factors impacting early kidney development.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic and monitoring strategies for at-risk newborns.

Main Results:

  • Identified key risk factors: prenatal exposures, perinatal complications, genetic conditions, and postnatal factors.
  • Early assessment of kidney size and function is vital for detecting decline.
  • Tailored nephrological follow-up and risk stratification are essential for prevention.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life interventions significantly shape renal health throughout life.
  • Pediatricians play a pivotal role in early detection and prevention of CKD.
  • Optimized monitoring through clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound evaluations is crucial for vulnerable infants.

Keywords:
at-risk newbornscongenital factorsearly assessmentfirst 1000 days of lifekidney developmentkidney functionkidney sizevulnerable infants

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