Renal function was determined in children before and during the intravenous administration of MgSO4. These studies were performed on normal children and on children with acute nephritis; in the latter, both during the acute hypertensive phase of the disease and during convalescence 1 to 3 weeks later. Glomerular filtration rates and effective RPF were markedly subnormal during the hypertensive stage and increased toward normal during convalescence. The intravenous administration of MgSO4 caused marked rises in GFR and in effective RPF when given during the hypertensive stage. Magnesium produced smaller rises in effective RPF but no changes in GFR when given during convalescence. Changes in renal function were not caused by Mg in normal children.The implications of these findings are discussed with reference to the treatment and pathophysiology of acute nephritis. It is suggested that renal vasospasm is present in children with acute glomerulonephritis and that adequate therapy with MgSO4 relaxes this vasospasm.
展开▼
