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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
08:15
Estimation of Nephron Number in Whole Kidney using the Acid Maceration Method
Published on: May 22, 2019
[Study of renal function and compensatory changes in children with single kidney]
B Nieto1, M J Martín Aguado, J Verdú
1Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante. Hospital Clinico Universitario de San Juan. nieto_bea@gav.es
Summary
Children with a single functioning kidney show hyperfiltration, but not hypertension. Renal volume increases over time, potentially slowed by contralateral anomalies, indicating long-term kidney adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Renal Physiology
- Congenital Abnormalities
Context:
- Reduction of renal mass in childhood may lead to irreversible kidney injury.
- Understanding long-term consequences of unilateral renal agenesis is crucial.
Purpose:
- To assess changes in remnant kidney function and identify nephropathy risk in children with unilateral renal loss.
- To evaluate parameters including arterial pressure, glomerular filtration, and renal volume.
Summary:
- 38 children (1-15 years) with unilateral renal mass loss were studied, grouped by onset of renal function loss.
- Findings include normal growth, elevated creatinine clearance (Ccr) indicating hyperfiltration, and normal proteinuria.
- Renal volume increased over time, and hypertension was not consistently observed.
Impact:
- The study suggests hyperfiltration is a compensatory mechanism in pediatric single-kidney patients.
- Contralateral anomalies may influence the compensatory growth of the remnant kidney.
- Findings aid in monitoring and managing children with renal mass reduction.
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