According to BioMedSearch.com, fetal kidneys can be visualized with ultrasound from as early as twelve weeks. Because these organs are so easy to visualize, congenital defects in the kidney can be identified, and in some instances surgically corrected, before birth. Fortunately, severe kidney problems are uncommon in newborns and kidney failure, also called renal failure, is rare. Even when problems do occur, advances in newborn transplant and dialysis have improved the outlook for many of these children.
Renal Dysplasia
A 2004 article in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology defines renal dysplasia as "a collection of disorders in which kidneys begin to form, but then fail to differentiate into normal nephrons and collecting ducts." The National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease explains that this disease can affect one or both kidneys.
Some children with renal dysplasia live for a number of years before experiencing renal failure. However, if the dysplasia is severe and both kidneys are involved newborns might need dialysis shortly after birth.
Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease
Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease--abbreviated PKD--is a rare disease that strikes when the baby is still in the womb. When a fetus has this disease, the kidneys become progressively encrusted with cysts to the point that they are completely dysfunctional. According to the National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, some children with this disease do very well and do not experience renal failure until they are adults. However, if this disease is very severe, the babies will not urinate in the womb and consequently, there will not be sufficient amniotic fluid. Such babies are born with both renal failure and respiratory issues because amniotic fluid is essential for healthy lung development.
Drugs
A 2004 paper in Seminars in Perinatology explains that acute renal failure is common in infants who receive drugs after birth. For example, the authors explain that acute renal failure occurs in "approximately 40% of premature newborns who have received indomethacin." Others drugs associated with acute renal failure after birth include aminoglycoside antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
