M Tas, IM Hirfanoglu, SAB Ezgu, I Akdulum, E Onal, C Turkyilmaz, E Ergenekon, E Koc

Abstract

Backgroundː Renal medullary hyperechogenicity (RMH) has been reported in newborns with severe perinatal kidney damage, renal malformation, nephrocalcinosis, and in newborns with transient acute kidney injury. This study aims to determine clinical and laboratory features and potential risk factors of transient neonatal RMH. Methodsː Twenty patients with RMH were included in the study. The demographic characteristics, biochemical parameters, blood pressure and urine output levels were recorded in all patients. Renal function parameters were calculated. Resultsː RMH was observed ultrasonographically (US) in all cases. Detailed nephrological work-up revealed a transient increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in 1/3 and 2/3 of the patients, which returned to normal limits within 72-96 hours. A transient proteinuria had also subsided within two weeks. The control US examination were performed within the first week of life, and these revealed normal sized kidneys without increased echogenicity or dilated collecting system. Discussions: Although there was a transient increase in serum creatinine and urinary protein excretion in newborns with RMH, all patients became completely normal biochemically and sonographically within a few days. Renal medullary hyperechogenicity may be observed as a transient condition that can be subsided without any specific treatment under follow-up.