Renal Modulation: Arginine Vasopressin and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide
Abstract Before birth, the ability of the organism to conserve salt and water is not critical as the placenta controls fluid balance in the fetus. The event of birth prompts…
Renal Development and Molecular Pathogenesis of Renal Dysplasia
Abstract Renal dysplasia is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease and end stage kidney disease in children. Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of renal maldevelopment began in the 1950s with…
Prenatal Programming of Hypertension and Kidney and Cardiovascular Disease
Abstract Epidemiologic studies have shown that small-for-gestational-age infants are at risk for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and premature death. This may result from intrauterine epigenetic adaptations that are…
Renal Aspects of Sodium Metabolism in the Fetus and Neonate
Abstract The transition from a growing fetus to a newborn infant requires many changes in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. During gestation, the placenta controls this balance, but once the fetus…
Perinatal Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism
Abstract Disturbances in mineral homeostasis, common in newborns, may be caused by altered responses to normal physiologic transition from the intrauterine environment to neonatal independence. Mineral disturbances in newborns, either…
Acid-Base Homeostasis in the Fetus and Newborn
Abstract This chapter addresses the physiology and regulation of fetal and neonatal acid-base balance at the cellular and organ system levels, with attention to the clinical relevance of the complex…
Potassium Metabolism
Abstract Potassium levels in the blood are tightly regulated. Deviations from this normal range can be life-threatening, and treatment should be based on an understanding of the underlying physiology and…
Body Composition in the Fetus and Newborn: Effects of Intrauterine Growth Aberration
Abstract The body compositions of infants born large (LGA) or small (SGA) for gestational age are different from those of appropriately grown (AGA) infants. When compared with AGA infants, LGA…
Water Flux and Amniotic Fluid Volume: Understanding Fetal Water Flow
Abstract In a term human gestation, the amount of water in the fetal compartments, including the fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid (AF), may exceed 5 L; in pathologic states, the amount…
Secondary Hypertension
Abstract Secondary hypertension occurs in approximately 10% of hypertensive patients. The clinical evaluation should seek symptoms, signs, and laboratory evidence of common and/or life-threatening causes, including renal parenchymal disease, renovascular…
