Medical Problems: Oliguria

OVERVIEW

This page is designed to organize content that is relevant to the topic of oliguria. This term is used often in medicine, and it is important that we become as familiar as possible with it.

Source
WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

Before going any farther, let us make sure we clearly define the “medical problem”. Oliguria refers to decreased urine production in patients. It can be defined in the following ways:

  • Urine output < 500 mL in 24 hours
  • Urine output < 0.5 mL/kg/h (in adults/children)
  • Urine output < 1.0 mL/kg/h (in neonates)
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

Oliguria can be the sign of a serious underlying medical pathology.

ORGANIZING THE DIFFERENTIAL

The differential diagnosis for oliguria can be organized in a few different ways:

  • Can’t miss diagnosis
  • Organ systen
  • Disease category
  • Diagnostic modality
  • Most common diagnosis
CLINICAL “WORKUP”

Now that the possible causes of oliguria have been established, the focus can shift to how one would actually “work-up” a patient who presents with oliguria. 

  • Collecting the history
  • Performing the physical
  • Ordering studies/tests
  • Intrepreting clinical data
TREATMENT

The treatment of oliguria may vary depending on the etiology of the condition, and is elaborated upon more below:

  • Overview of treatments 

 

Page Updated: 01.05.2017