Changes

== Introduction  ==

== Introduction  ==

Azotaemia refers to an increase in the blood concentrations of '''urea''' and '''creatinine'''. Azotaemia occurs almost exclusively with renal failure that results in an inability to excrete these two metabolic products. [[Urea]] and [[Creatinine]] vary in the extent of the increase induced by renal pathologies (creatinine can show substantial increases from baseline, whereas smaller increases in urea are significant as levels generally increase by a much smaller factor) and also the timing of the increase - creatinine levels will rise and fall more quickly than changes in urea and can therefore be more useful in monitoring response to treatment.

Azotaemia refers to an biochemical evidence of increase in the blood concentrations of '''urea''' and '''creatinine'''. Azotaemia occurs almost exclusively with renal dysfunction, resulting in accumulation of these two, but not the only, waste products of protein metabolism. [[Urea]] and [[Creatinine]] vary in the extent of the increase induced by renal pathologies (creatinine can show substantial increases from baseline, whereas smaller increases in urea are significant as levels generally increase by a much smaller factor) and also the time taken for the increase. The severity of the increase in the [[urea]] concentration is considered to be proportional to the severity of the clinical syndrome, as [[urea]] (60D) is known to have distribution equal to the total body water, unlike that of [[creatinine]]. The severity in the increased concentration of [[creatinine]], however, may not necessarily represent a severe damage to the kidneys. It is recommended that, [[creatinine clearance]], and not the mere concentration of [[creatinine]]; should be used as an indicator to judge the severity of illness.

== Clinical Significance ==

== Clinical Significance ==