Abitbol Carolyn L, Ingelfinger Julie R
Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33101-6960, USA.
Semin Nephrol. 2009 Jul;29(4):445-54. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2009.03.019.
The nephron endowment begins with the complex process of nephrogenesis, which is controlled through genetic and environmental influences from preconception up until approximately 36 weeks of gestation. The total number of nephrons in human beings averages about 1 million per kidney but varies up to 10-fold, from approximately 200,000 to more than 2 million. Low nephron mass is associated with the development of hypertension and, in some ethnic populations, the concurrence of cardiovascular and renal disease risks in later life. Kidney size and nephron number also are related directly to birth weight with persons born preterm or with evidence of intrauterine growth restriction more likely to develop certain diseases in later life.
肾单位的形成始于复杂的肾发生过程，该过程受遗传和环境因素影响，从受孕前一直持续到妊娠约36周。人类每个肾脏的肾单位总数平均约为100万个，但差异可达10倍，从约20万个到超过200万个不等。低肾单位数量与高血压的发生有关，在一些种族人群中，还与晚年心血管和肾脏疾病风险的并发有关。肾脏大小和肾单位数量也与出生体重直接相关，早产或有宫内生长受限证据的人在晚年更易患某些疾病。
