THE INFLUENCE OF SURGERY ON RENAL FUNCTION IN INFANCY

Abstract

The data presented suggest that post-operative oliguria in a variety of surgical procedures in infants is, at least in large measure, due to dehydration. The renal tubular capacity, as regards concentration, in the immediate post-surgical state is maintained. There is no apparent defect in the capacity of the kidney to excrete water in the post-surgical period in these infants. These data provide no justification for inducing dehydration in the postoperative period, on the premise of impaired renal function in infants and young children.