Functional Development of Kidneys in Human Ontogenesis

Based on our own and literary results, the process of kidney functions formation in human ontogenesis from the stage of newborn to adulthood is considered. It has been shown that in conditions of relative rest of the body in the morning on an empty stomach, all the main manifestations of kidney functions correspond to the level of adults by 4-5 years old, and only the glomerular filtration rate and tubular reabsorption of fluid increase to 10-11 years of age. A complex analysis of the morphological and functional characteristics of the kidneys as an integral organ reveals their rapid growth up to 4-5 years, the second period of active growth is noted at 10-11 years and the completion of the process formation occurs by the age of 21-22. During periods of intensive growth of the whole organism – 7-8 and 13-15 years, a decrease in the rate of development of the kidneys structure and functions is manifested, which allows us to call these age periods as critical stages of kidney development. The presented results can be used as normative indicators of kidney function in healthy children of different ages.