Transient Renal Dysfunction of the Neonate

We recently observed three neonates with transient oliguric acute renal failure associated with characteristic ultrasonographic findings. Their clinical courses, laboratory values, and ultrasonographic findings are discussed. The purpose of this report is to alert those who care for newborn infants to this entity of transient renal dysfunction and its characteristic ultrasonographic findings in the kidney. CASE REPORTS Case 1 A full-term girl weighed 3,770 g at birth and was delivered by vacuum extraction because of shoulder dystocia. Her mother's pregnancy was complicated by premature rupture of membranes of greater than 24 hours' duration and maternal fever with amnionitis at delivery. At birth the baby had a weak cry, decreased tone, and Apgar scores of 6 and 8, at one and five minutes, respectively.