Internal medicine

Fetus

Amniotic fluid

Urinary system

Biology

Endocrinology

Renal function

Beta-2 microglobulin

Urine

Gestational age

Pregnancy

Creatinine

Gestation

Genetics

Medicine

Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica

Abstract. Beta 2 microglobulin [B 2 m] and creatinine [Cr] concentrations were measure in the urine of 27 newborn infants. At birth, urinary [B 2 m] and [B 2 m]/[Cr] ratios were significantly lower in infants born beyond 36 weeks' gestation. Serial measurements, postnatally, showed a progressive decrease in the urine [B 2 m]/[Cr] ratio of infants born prematurely. These findings suggest an increase in tubular uptake of B 2 m with increasing gestational and postnatal age. The current findings tend to support the hypothesis that the decrease in [B 2 m] observed in amniotic fluid beginning at approximately 36 weeks' gestation reflects maturation of fetal proximal renal tubular function.

Fetal Renal Maturation: Studies on urinary beta 2 microglobulin the the neonate