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. 2024 Oct-Dec;46(4):e20230035.
doi: 10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2023-0035en.

Effect of prenatal corticosteroids on the maturation of renal tubules in preterm infants

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Jenny Ponce  1 , Javier Cieza  2 , Reyner Loza  3 , Cristian León  2 , Claudia Nuñez-Mochizaki  2
Affiliations

Effect of prenatal corticosteroids on the maturation of renal tubules in preterm infants

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Jenny Ponce et al. J Bras Nefrol. 2024 Oct-Dec.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: The benefit of prenatal steroids in fetal lung maturation is well established, but their effect on the kidney has not been studied in detail in humans. Animal models have shown an increase in the expression of Na+/H+ exchangers, Na+-K+-ATPase pumps and aquaporin-1. This study aims to assess the effect of prenatal steroids on the maturation of renal tubules in preterms.

Methods: 21 preterms born between 24 and 34 weeks were included. Participants were divided into two groups according to their exposure to prenatal steroids. The maturation of tubular function was evaluated through the change of the fractional excretion of Na+, K+ and beta 2-microglobulin, the transtubular gradient of K+, urine pH, and osmolality.

Results: The mean age was 30.57 ± 1.8 weeks and the mean weight was 1415 ± 267.8 grams. Baseline differences were not observed, except for a significant difference in the change in urinary excretion of beta 2-microglobulin (Group 1: 1 980 ± 9 075 ng/mL and Group 2: -7 274 ± 10 006 ng/mL, p = 0.04).

Conclusions: Prenatal steroids showed no statistically significant difference on renal tubule maturation in preterms.

Introdução:: O benefício dos esteroides pré-natais na maturação pulmonar fetal encontra-se bem estabelecido, mas seu efeito sobre os rins ainda não foi estudado detalhadamente em humanos. Modelos animais demonstraram um aumento na expressão de trocadores Na+/H+, bombas de Na+-K+-ATPase e aquaporina-1. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o efeito dos esteroides pré-natais na maturação dos túbulos renais em prematuros.

Métodos:: Foram incluídos 21 prematuros nascidos entre 24 e 34 semanas. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com sua exposição aos esteroides pré-natais. A maturação da função tubular foi avaliada por meio da alteração da fração de excreção de Na+, K+ e beta 2-microglobulina, do gradiente transtubular de K+, do pH urinário e da osmolalidade.

Resultados:: A média de idade foi de 30,57 ± 1,8 semanas e o peso médio foi de 1415 ± 267,8 gramas. Não foram observadas diferenças basais, exceto por uma diferença significativa na alteração da excreção urinária de beta 2-microglobulina (Grupo 1: 1 980 ± 9 075 ng/mL e Grupo 2: –7 274 ± 10 006 ng/mL; p = 0,04).

Conclusões:: Os esteroides pré-natais não demonstraram diferença estatisticamente significativa na maturação dos túbulos renais em prematuros.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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