Abstract
Seven babies with intrauterine asphyxia were compared to eleven infants with normal intrauterine and post partal courses. Asphyxia was defined as an Apgar score of five or less at one and five minutes, in the absence of prematurity, congenital anomalies, or maternal drug administration. No asphyxiated infant had clinical renal failure as is seen in some asphyxiated infants. Infants had comparable gestational ages and birth weights. Total intake over the first 24 hours was the same. The time before the first voiding was longer in the asphyxiated group (11 hours versus 20 hours). The serum and the first voided urine specimen were evaluated biochemically in the first 24 hours. Comparison of the two groups reveals that the serum sodium concentrations were equivalent, however, serum potassium concentrations were slightly higher in the non-asphyxiated group. Serum osmolality was equivalent, but urine osmolality was significantly higher (310 milliosmoles versus 238 milliosmoles) in the asphyxiated group. Urine potassium concentration was increased dramatically in the asphyxiated group (36 milli-equivalents per liter versus 4.1 milliequivalents per liter). These data may reflect altered renal blood flow or an asphyxia-related tubular dysfunction.
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Sexson, W., Rawson, J. & Batson, B. SELECTED RENAL FINDINGS IN ASPHYXIATED NEWBORNS. Pediatr Res 11, 542 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01031
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01031