Drug-Induced Nephrotoxicity In The Newborn: The State Of The Art

The kidney is vulnerable to drugs because of its high blood flow and large capillary surface area, its role as the excretory route for many drugs and its detoxifying action. Glomeruli, tubules, interstitium and arterioles may be altered. It is important for the nenatologist to recognize the problem of drug-induced kidney injury because the causative agents are very commonly prescribed, nephrotoxicity is frequent and reversible in many patients. Drug-induced renal failure is often non-oliguric. Early diagnosis of nephrotoxicity is essential since dosage adjustment or discontinuation of renally excreted drugs may prevent further iatrogenic damage. Thus monitoring of renal function is essential and prevention is mandatory.