Uraemia

Abstract

Uraemia may be defined as the constellation of adverse clinical effects that develops as a consequence of severe renal excretory failure (Figure 5.1). Uraemia should be distinguished from azotaemia. Azotaemia is defined as an increase in the concentration of nonprotein nitrogenous waste products in blood. Creatinine and urea are examples of non-protein nitrogenous substances that are commonly measured in blood samples to assess renal excretory function. Azotaemia may arise as a consequence of:

-Inadequate renal blood perfusion (prerenal azotaemia)

-Intrinsic renal failure (renal azotaemia)

-Postrenal obstruction or rupture of the urinary tract (postrenal azotaemia).