[Structural and functional status of the kidneys in children with nephropathies associated with metabolic disorders].

A total of 365 children aged 1 to 16 years were examined. The dimensions of the kidneys are given in health and in nephropathies associated with metabolic disorders. Echography made it possible to identify the presence of salt crystals in the pelves. The tension of osmoregulating renal function in response to water loading manifested by the reduction of the degree of osmotic dilution and the rise of ion excretion was established. One of the reasons for such alterations is plasma hyperosmia that is likely to be conditioned by the rise of salt concentrations in the blood. The functional changes seen in the kidneys were found to depend on the age.