Plasma urea and creatinine levels in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants
Ibe, B.C.
Central African Journal of Medicine 35(5): 401-403
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-9176 PMID: 2776204 Document Number: 330623
Serial longitudinal measurements of plasma urea and creatinine were made in 12 infants of very low birth weight, mean birth weight 1290 g and mean gestational age 30.6 weeks, for 42 days after birth. Plasma urea and creatinine were high and very variable during the first few days of life, both stabilizing at lower values by the second week. Plasma urea stabilized at below the accepted lower limit for infants (less than 2 mmol/litre). Plasma creatinine values were within the normal range (between 50 and 70 mu mol/litre). It is suggested that the 2 indices may be of little help in estimating renal function in the postperinatal period.