P74: Other transitory neonatal electrolyte and metabolic disturbances

P74.0: Late metabolic acidosis of newborn

The blood must have a certain acid content for the body to be able to work. The acid content is influenced by many processes. Amongst other things, the kidneys control the acid content in our body. For example, the kidneys may release excess acids into the urine if the acid content in the blood is too high. The kidneys may also release substances into the blood if the acid content in the blood is too low.

There can be different reasons why the child’s blood is too acidic. In babies born prematurely, for example, the kidney function is still limited. Then the kidneys can sometimes not release enough acids into the urine. If excess acid then accumulates in the body, the blood may become too acidic. Premature babies may accumulate excess acids if, for example, they are fed with milk substitute.