Ultrasound Quantification of Kidneys Length and Width to Establish Normal Values in Healthy Sudanese School Aged Children

Abstract

Changes in renal morphology are apparent by many pathologies. The objectives of this study were to characterize the kidneys of Sudanese school aged children sonographically, and correlate with their demographic indices, as well as to establish a local reference of normal values. A total of 215 healthy children were included, 104 (48.4%) were males and 111 (51.6%) were females. All children underwent ultrasound examination for abdomen, coupling gel was used and longitudinal and transverse scans were obtained. The study showed that the normal Left Kidney Length was 7.9 ± 0.8, 8.1 ± 0.7.Left Kidney Width 3.9 ± 0.5, 3.9 ± 0.5 and Right Kidney Length 8.0 ± 0.8, 8.3 ± 0.8, Right Kidney Width 3.4 ± 0.4, 3.4 ± 0.4 for males and females respectively . Significant differences were noticed between two genders for left and right lengths(p-values =0.017, 0.037).A significant relationship at p-value 0.000 was detected between the kidneys measurements and children age, weight, height, abdomen circumference(AC) and Body mass index(BMI). The Left Kidney Length/spleen length ratio was found to be decreased in the ages of 9 and10 years for females and Right Kidney Length/liver length ratio was increased in the ages 8, 10 years for females. This study revealed that the kidneys measurements for Sudanese school aged children differed from what was mentioned in the previous studies in the same age groups. To the best of our knowledge, in clinical practice there are no pediatric kidneys length and width equations for interpretation of sonographic examinations. Reference values were established .We hope this study contributes to daily practice in ultrasound clinics. These measurements can be considered as typical, and should be used for adequate comparison in evaluation of children kidney diseases.