Glomerular filtration rate changes in the first week of healthy full-term newborns

Background Renal function − as many other organ functions − is immature in the early neonatal period. Aim A prospective study was carried out that aimed at determining serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in apparently healthy full-term newborns (NBs) on the first and seventh days of postnatal life. Participants and methods This study included 50 apparently healthy full-term neonates born to healthy mothers at Damanhour Medical Institute in AL-Behera governorate. Half of the neonates were males; 27 babies were delivered vaginally and the remaining by cesarian section. All NBs were subjected to a full assessment of history and clinical examination. Complete blood count, C-reactive protein, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and abdominal ultrasound were performed for all NBs. Serum creatinine and GFR were estimated on the first and seventh days of life. Maternal serum creatinine was determined for all mothers on day 1. Results Serum creatinine showed a significant decrease on the seventh day. GFR was significantly increased by the seventh day of life. NBs’ serum creatinine showed a negative correlation with the postnatal age, while GFR showed a positive correlation.