AZOTEMIA

Azotemia refers to an elevation of blood urea, nitrogen and creatinine levels and is largely related to reduced GFR. It is without clinical manifestations but can be seen in biochemical index.

Its progression to clinical manifestations and systemic biochemical abnormalities is termed UREMIA.  Uremia is not characterized by failure of renal excretory functions only but also by a host of metabolic and endocrine alterations incident to renal failure. There are also secondary manifestations like uremic gastroenteritis, pheripheral neuropathy and cardiovascular involvements ( uremic pericarditis).

Azotemia can be classified by its pathological relation to the kidney as

1. Pre-renal: it include any extra renal disease that reduces perfussion of the kidneys and reduce GFR.

2. Renal: includes diseases of the kidney and occurs in Nephritic syndrome, renal failure

3.Post-renal: occurs as a result of obstruction to urine flow.

                                                                                                                        PEACE