Communication breakdown: a preventable cause of acute renal failure in a newborn infant

A three-week-old boy had life-threatening renal failure which was successfully treated by salbutamol and sodium bicarbonate infusion, rectal resonium and a left percutaneous nephrostomy. Ultrasonography of this child at 19 weeks' gestation had shown a treatable renal tract abnormality (bilateral hydronephrosis). No arrangements had been made for follow-up.