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Reasons for Renal Failure in a Preemie Infant

Renal (kidney) failure in premature infants is generally caused by immature kidneys, which cannot remove water and other substances from the blood as efficiently as fully developed kidneys.

  1. Function of Kidneys

    • The kidneys have many functions vital to healthy human life. Their primary function is to produce urine. In doing so, the kidneys filter and absorb minerals and excrete the waste. Secondarily, the kidneys produce hormones, such as erythropoietin, which control blood pressure. The kidneys are also responsible for maintaining a healthy balance of acids/bases and electrolytes, and for regulating bodily fluids.

    Why Kidneys Fail in Preemies

    • Immature kidneys are the main cause of renal failure in preemies. Babies born prior to 35 weeks do not have fully developed kidneys. In the two weeks following birth of a full-term baby, the kidneys experience a rapid growth process, whereby the kidneys begin to function at full capacity. Diabetes or high blood pressure may also cause renal failure.

    Identification/Symptoms

    • Symptoms of renal failure may include abnormal fluid levels, dehydration, blood in the urine, anemia and abnormal levels of minerals such as glucose, sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphates.

    Treatment

    • The most common treatment for renal failure is regulation of fluids and minerals. For preemies, this means caregivers will calculate the baby's fluid and mineral needs to drops needed per minute, as administered by I.V.

    Prevention/Solution

    • A full-term pregnancy (or pregnancy lasting more than 35 weeks of gestation) increases the odds that a baby will have fully developed kidneys. Once renal failure is detected in a pre-term infant, regulation of minerals and fluids is essential to keeping baby healthy and free of secondary complications.

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