Neonatal renal function is a critical aspect of newborn health, as the kidneys play a vital role in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, removing waste products, and regulating blood pressure. Understanding how neonatal disorders can affect renal function is essential for early diagnosis and management.
Renal function in neonates continues to develop postnatally. At birth, the kidneys are immature, with a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Over the first few weeks of life, the GFR increases significantly. The maturation of renal function is crucial for the neonate's ability to handle fluid and electrolyte balance effectively.
Several disorders can affect neonatal renal function, including:
- [Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)]: A sudden decline in kidney function, often due to hypoxia, sepsis, or nephrotoxic medications. - [Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)]: Structural abnormalities that can lead to impaired renal function. - [Neonatal Hypernatremia]: An electrolyte imbalance often caused by inadequate breastfeeding or dehydration. - [Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)]: A genetic disorder leading to cyst formation and kidney dysfunction.
Assessment of renal function in neonates includes:
- [Serum Creatinine]: A marker of kidney function, although it may initially reflect maternal levels. - [Urine Output]: Monitoring urine output is essential; oliguria (
