High protein levels in a newborn's urine, known as neonatal proteinuria, can stem from several underlying medical conditions. These include genetic factors, structural abnormalities in the kidneys, infections, or immune-mediated processes.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of the common causes:
- Genetic Causes: Some genetic conditions can affect kidney function, leading to increased protein excretion.
- Structural Anomalies: Congenital abnormalities in the structure of the kidneys or urinary tract can impair their ability to properly filter protein.
- Infections: Infections, particularly those affecting the kidneys (pyelonephritis), can damage the filtering mechanisms and result in proteinuria.
- Immune-Mediated Processes: Certain immune system disorders can target the kidneys, causing inflammation and protein leakage.
The severity of the proteinuria, which is considered normal up to 68–309 mg/m2/24hrs in full-term neonates, will influence the clinical presentation and symptoms observed in the newborn.
