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…
KEY POINTS 1. Neonatal skin matures with gestational age with increasing thickness, less permeability, and higher density of sweat and sebaceous glands. Keratinization begins at 24 weeks and matures near term. 2. Cold stress is an important risk to preterm…
KEY POINTS 1. All organizations, be it in healthcare or in any other sector(s) of society, strive for effective, potentially transformational leadership. 2. In any health-care system, infants receiving care in neonatal intensive care units are often the most vulnerable…
KEY POINTS 1. Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are organized for the clinical care of premature and critically ill newborn infants. 2. Healthcare centers require a well-considered structure to enable collaborative decision-making to provide family-centered, high-value care to the mother-infant…
KEY POINTS 1. Assessing therapeutic safety and efficacy of a drug/device or technology requires carefully designed trials that are sufficiently powered to detect differences in outcomes. 2. International trials can help reduce the time required for the study and improve…
KEY POINTS 1. Neonates and infants often are treated with medicines that have not been approved by regulatory authorities for use in this age group. 2. The inclusion of infants in drug development studies and clinical trials is limited by…