Congenital abnormalities of the urinary system: II. Renal cortical and medullary necrosis

Abstract

Summary A review of the clinical material in 11newborn infants with renal necrosis has disclosed histories that are most often compatible with shock due to severe asphyxia or blood loss. The necrosis was present in both the cortex and medulla, but no underlying malformations were encountered. Focal, ischemic necrosis, and petechial hemorrhage were commonly present in other organs. Two other infants were observed at approximately 1 month of age, after a similar clinical course in the early newborn period. One developed severe hypertension, and both had severe renal scarring in association with medullary necrosis. Primitive structures, reminiscent of renal dysplasia, developed in association with the healing process and were regarded as a reaction to injury.