Long-term effects of neonatal drugs on the kidney.

Several drugs have been shown to produce an adverse affect on kidneys, mainly when exposure occurred during active nephrogenesis (pregnancy or prematurity). Several experimental studies on drug-related renal injury have been done on animal models. Observational reports on early drug-related nephrotoxicity in humans are increasing. The investigations regard nephrotoxicity from antibiotics (particularly aminoglycosides), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antifungins. Few reports have been specifically on the long-term effects on kidneys of drugs given to newborns during active nephrogenesis. Most observations were targeted to investigate long-term renal effects of prematurity and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Nephrotoxic medication taken during fetal life and during postnatal nephrogenesis could interfere with nephron generation contributing to a particular magnitude of damage. Such adjunctive damage could further increase the risk of renal failure in the adulthood of children born prematurely.