Doctors define a baby as premature when born before 37 weeks of gestation. Preemies can suffer from a wide range of health issues, mostly due to the undeveloped state of their organs and from complications resulting from complicated deliveries. While renal failure is a less-common symptom of premature birth, undeveloped kidneys and birth complications can make renal issues a problem. With appropriate treatment, however, you can avoid renal failure in many preemie infants.
Slower Start
All babies may experience brief and usually non-severe problems with kidneys in the first few days after birth. Kidneys continue to mature after the baby is born, and it may take time before the body can successfully regulate healthy levels of waste products, fluids and salts. This problem is more pronounced in preemie babies, especially those born before 28 weeks of gestation. Although most babies, even preemies, will experience improved renal function over time, doctors must carefully monitor the baby to avoid renal failure.
Damage during Delivery
Because of the complications surrounding the birth of a premature infant, there is an increased risk of kidney damage or oxygen deprivation in preemies. Both of these factors can continue to cause harm to the kidneys over time. These damages can especially have an effect on urine production.
Toxicity
A major cause of renal failure, especially for preemies, is toxic build-up in the kidneys due to an inability to successfully filter waste products. With premature infants, doctors need to keep a close watch on several potentially-toxic substances. Natural waste products like potassium and urea can build in the blood and kidneys if the baby has damaged waste filtering. Doctors can test for this with blood testing. Medicines and drugs, including the antibiotics often given to premature babies, can also build up in the baby's renal tissue. Tests to make sure that these drugs are properly excreted can limit this damage. The limited kidney function of premature babies may also lead to a condition called late metabolic acidosis and to growth failure. This occurs when the kidneys fail to excrete the fixed acids that result from the ingestion of high-protein baby formula and from natural bone growth. If left untreated, the reduced kidney function from these conditions lead to nutrient loss and potentially to renal failure.
