Dysnatremias, hyponatremia and hypernatremia, are common in the neonatal intensive care unit. Recent studies indicate that these conditions can result in both short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. This chapter will review the development of renal function with emphasis on…
Introduction Water is critical to the support of all life, and ensuring appropriate balance of fluid and electrolytes is a central aspect of the clinical management of patients. It has been extremely difficult to study and define optimal fluid and…
Potassium (K), the major intracellular (IC) cation (98% of [K] is located inside the cells), is responsible for protein synthesis, cell growth, and regulation of cell volume. Sodium-potassium ATPase (Na-K-ATPase) in cell membranes is responsible for maintaining this gradient, which…
Introduction Normal amniotic fluid production and volume are essential for normal fetal development. Oligohydramnios, or low amniotic fluid volume, when severe can impact normal lung development. As the fetal kidneys are the major source of amniotic fluid in the second…
Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as a decrease in overall kidney function, resulting in reduction of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and subsequent retention of waste products such as urea. As a result, there is a loss of established…
Background Two thirds of drugs are eliminated by the kidneys, and their function levels must be taken into account for diagnostic and treatment plans. Kidney function level identifies acute kidney injury (AKI), or chronic kidney disease (CKD) but it cannot…
Introduction Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) or congenital bladder outlet obstruction has an incidence of 2.2/10,000 pregnancies and is usually diagnosed in late first or early second trimester of pregnancy with the characteristic findings of dilated fetal bladder, dilated…