Intrauterine life to adulthood: a potential risk factor for chronic kidney disease

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2023 Nov 30;38(12):2675-2684. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfad134.

Abstract

Multiple risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD), one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the adult population globally, have been identified, including older age, male gender, family history, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischaemic heart diseases and various medications. Preterm delivery, affecting >10% of the newborns in the USA, is a global concern with increasing incidence in recent decades. Preterm birth has been linked to multiple medical comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, while its association with CKD has recently been investigated. Prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have been associated with an increased risk for CKD, specific histopathological examination findings and CKD-associated risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. In this narrative review, our aim is to evaluate and summarize the association between the risk for CKD and prematurity, low birthweight and IUGR along with potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Keywords: chronic kidney disease; focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; intrauterine growth restriction; prematurity; preterm delivery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diabetes Mellitus*
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / complications
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Premature Birth* / etiology
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / diagnosis
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / epidemiology
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / etiology
  • Risk Factors