Premature birth may cause lifelong kidney damage, Israeli researchers find
A joint Australian-Israeli study identifies how premature birth disrupts kidney development, potentially leaving babies with a lifelong shortage of vital filtration units.
Premature birth may lead to lifelong kidney damage, Israeli researchers have discovered. Until now, it was known that early birth doubled the risk of chronic kidney disease, but the underlying cause was unclear. A joint study by Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem and Monash University in Melbourne has uncovered the cellular mechanism behind this issue.
The research, published in iScience, utilized a mouse model to identify the disruption in nephron progenitor cell development caused by premature birth. This disruption occurs within the first hours after birth and extends for around 24 hours, during which the cells' ability to mature is compromised. The findings suggest that intervention during this specific, narrow window could potentially protect premature babies' kidneys for life.
Premature birth has been linked to various health issues in adulthood, including high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and reduced kidney function, often without the affected individuals being aware of the issue until complications arise.
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