Renal failure causes the kidneys to stop working properly, which allows waste products, fluid and minerals to build up in the blood. Without treatment, the accumulation of these substances causes nausea, fatigue, itchy skin, swelling and other symptoms. Infant renal failure has several causes, but it is more difficult to diagnose than adult renal failure, because infants cannot describe their symptoms to their parents or medical professionals.
Kidney Infections
Kidney infections develop when bacteria enter the urinary tract. These bacteria travel through the bladder and into the kidneys via tubes called ureters. The Merck Manuals Home Edition explains that urinary tract infections occur more often in infant boys than in girls. Untreated kidney infections have the potential to scar the kidneys, which impairs kidney function and may lead to renal failure. Proper treatment for kidney infections involves oral or intravenous antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
Genetic Disorders
Genetic disorders can play a role in the development of renal failure in infants. Autosomal-dominant and autosomal-recessive polycystic kidney disease cause cysts to form on the kidneys. Both conditions cause renal insufficiency or renal failure. While autosomal-recessive polycystic kidney disease usually occurs in people aged 30 to 50, according to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, this condition can also affect newborns. Congenital nephrotic syndrome usually occurs in infants of Finnish descent. This condition causes body swelling, foamy urine and decreased urine output.
The American Pregnancy Association reports that spina bifida affects one out of every 3000 births each year. Renal failure occurs in infants with spina bifida because of the urinary complications associated with the condition. In infants with spina bifida, urine sometimes backs up into the kidneys, which causes scarring and an eventual decline in kidney function.
Urinary Obstructions
When a urinary tract obstruction occurs, it blocks the flow of urine from the kidneys to the bladder and out of the body. As urine backs up, it causes scarring. Without treatment for the obstruction, the scarring leads to renal failure. Obstructions also increase the risk for urinary tract infection, according to Benioff Children's Hospital.
Congestive Heart Failure
The kidneys rely on steady blood flow in order to maintain their normal functions. When congestive heart failure occurs, the heart cannot pump blood efficiently. This reduces blood flow to the kidneys and other organs, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Reduced blood flow results in kidney dysfunction, which could lead to renal failure without treatment.
