In a one-week-old neonate, a plasma creatinine exceeding 0.5 mg/dL is most indicative of which condition?

In a one-week-old neonate, a plasma creatinine exceeding 0.5 mg/dL is most indicative of which condition?

• A. Hepatic dysfunction
• B. Renal dysfunction
• C. Cardiac disease
• D. Dehydration

Answer: (B)

Creatinine is a marker of kidney function and reflects glomerular filtration rate. In a one-week-old infant, maternal creatinine influence has mostly resolved, so a plasma creatinine above about 0.5 mg/dL indicates the kidneys aren’t clearing creatinine effectively. That points to renal dysfunction or acute kidney injury. Hepatic dysfunction wouldn’t primarily raise creatinine, and while severe dehydration can reduce renal perfusion, the value here most directly signals impaired renal function.

Creatinine is a marker of kidney function and reflects glomerular filtration rate. In a one-week-old infant, maternal creatinine influence has mostly resolved, so a plasma creatinine above about 0.5 mg/dL indicates the kidneys aren’t clearing creatinine effectively. That points to renal dysfunction or acute kidney injury. Hepatic dysfunction wouldn’t primarily raise creatinine, and while severe dehydration can reduce renal perfusion, the value here most directly signals impaired renal function.