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Solitary kidney

Stanley Hellerstein1, Luke Chambers

  • 1Section of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospital, The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City 64108, USA. shellers@cmh.edu

Clinical Pediatrics
|August 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric practitioners can use estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to identify children with solitary kidneys needing further investigation. Lower eGFR values suggest potential issues in children with a single kidney.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Renal Physiology

Background:

  • A solitary kidney is a congenital condition present from birth.
  • Children with a solitary kidney may require monitoring for normal renal function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a tool for pediatric practitioners to assess the need for in-depth investigation in children with a solitary kidney.
  • To define thresholds for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) indicating potential renal compromise.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records from 96 children diagnosed with a solitary kidney between 1995 and 2006.
  • Categorization of children into three age- and sex-based groups for analysis.
  • Calculation of serum creatinine and eGFR for each study group.

Main Results:

  • Mean serum creatinine levels were 0.4 mg/dL (group 1), 0.6 mg/dL (group 2), and 1.1 mg/dL (group 3).
  • An eGFR 2 standard deviations below the mean was determined to be 78 mL/min/1.73 m² (group 1), 73 mL/min/1.73 m² (group 2), and 70 mL/min/1.73 m² (group 3).

Conclusions:

  • The study provides age- and sex-specific eGFR reference ranges for children with solitary kidneys.
  • An eGFR falling 2 standard deviations below these means warrants further urological and nephrological evaluation.

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