Renal function from fetus to adulthood

Abstract

The renal ontogeny can be considered complete after the 36th week of gestation. This chapter describes the stages of development of the kidney embryonic structures, provisional and definitive and the complex molecular basis regulating those phases and that represent the basis of congenital kidney disease. The renal endowment arising from the nephrogenesis process not only is the basis of anatomical and functional renal development but it seems to be of considerable importance for the occurrence of cardiovascular and kidney disease in the adulthood. It will also describe the basic principles of the anatomy of the kidney in the term infant. Renal function, both from the glomerular and tubular points of view, undergoes important changes between the intra-and extrauterine life: knowledge of renal function in fetal, neonatal, and childhood is of fundamental importance for the recognition of childhood kidney diseases but also for the management of drug therapies. A condition of considerable importance given its recent growth is that of preterm neonates, who may require a careful care and monitoring often also nephrological.