The effect of antenatal dexamethasone administration on glomerular filtration rate and renal sodium excretion in premature infants

Abstract
Creatinine clearance (Ccr) and renal sodium (Na+) excretion were measured in 10 premature infants (gestational age + excretion were significantly lower (P+∶Na+ ratio significantly higher (Pcr did not differ between groups. In study 2, Ccr in group D had increased compared both with values obtained in the same babies in study 1 (PP+ excretion and urinary K+∶Na+ ratio were no longer found. We conclude that exogenous glucocorticoids accelerate maturation of renal function in immature human infants, probably by inducing tubular Na+. K+-ATPase activity. Our findings support the view that endogenous glucocorticoid hormones may play an important part in the normal maturation process.