Abstract
Ingestion of an acute protein load by a normal adult has been shown to increase Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) by 20-30%,while in the patient with diabetic nephropathy GFR decreases with protein loading. It has been hypothesized that the kidneys of a newborn behave in a similar fashion to those of diabetic patients.
The effects of different protein loads on the renal function of the premature infant were studied in six babies (PA 33-38 wks) on 8 occasions. Group I infants received 3.8 gm/kg/day of protein. Group II infants received 2.25 gm/kg/day of protein (whey/casein ratio 60/40). All infants were normally growing prematures taking 180 cc/kg/day by mouth or 120 cal/kg/day; protein constituted 12.7% of total caloric intake in Group I and 7.5% in Group II. Each study consisted of a six hour urine collection started just prior to feeding. All urine voided spontaneously during the study period was analyzed. The following results were obtained:
No significant difference was observed in GFR between Groups I and II while total nitrogen excretion was doubled in Group I. These preliminary observations indicate that GFR is not modified by the two protein loads and is therefore different from both the normal adult and those with diabetic nephropathy.
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Sanocka, U., Straus, J., Daniel, S. et al. EFFECTS OF VARYING PROTEIN INTAKE ON RENAL FUNCTION IN PREMATURE INFANTS. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 368 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01653
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01653