Abstract
BackgroundCurrently used pediatric kidney length normative values are based on small single-center studies, do not include kidney function assessment, and focus mostly on newborns and infants. We aimed to develop ultrasound-based kidney length normative values derived from a large group of European Caucasian children with normal kidney function.MethodsOut of 1,782 children aged 0–19 years, 1,758 individuals with no present or past kidney disease and normal estimated glomerular filtration rate had sonographic assessment of kidney length. The results were correlated with anthropometric parameters and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Kidney length was correlated with age, height, body surface area, and body mass index. Height-related kidney length curves and table were generated using the LMS method. Multivariate regression analysis with collinearity checks was used to evaluate kidney length predictors.ResultsThere was no significant difference in kidney size in relation to height between boys and girls. We found significant (p < 0.001), but clinically unimportant (Cohen’s D effect size = 0.04 and 0.06) differences between prone vs. supine position (mean paired difference = 0.64 mm, 95% CI = 0.49–0.77) and left vs. right kidneys (mean paired difference = 1.03 mm, 95% CI = 0.83–1.21), respectively. For kidney length prediction, the highest coefficient correlation was observed with height (adjusted R2 = 0.87, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsWe present height-related LMS-percentile curves and tables of kidney length which may serve as normative values for kidney length in children from birth to 19 years of age. The most significant predictor of kidney length was statural height.Graphic
Highlights
The assessment of kidney size is of indisputable importance in the diagnostics of pediatric kidney diseases
At least three measurements of maximal kidney length, from upper to lower pole, with an accuracy of 0.1 mm were performed in each body position
The maximal measured values of kidney length in millimeters for both supine and prone positions were recorded for each patient
Summary
The assessment of kidney size is of indisputable importance in the diagnostics of pediatric kidney diseases. Following the introduction of ultrasound examinations, Rosenbaum et al published the first ultrasound-based normative data of kidney length in 1984, which many clinicians still use. These norms were based on 203 patients aged 0–19. Used pediatric kidney length normative values are based on small single-center studies, do not include kidney function assessment, and focus mostly on newborns and infants. Methods Out of 1,782 children aged 0–19 years, 1,758 individuals with no present or past kidney disease and normal estimated glomerular filtration rate had sonographic assessment of kidney length. The most significant predictor of kidney length was statural height
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