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Reliability of renal ultrasound measurements in children

J J Miranda Geelhoed1, Veronica E Kleyburg-Linkers, Sonja P E Snijders

  • 1The Generation R Study Group (AE-006), Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
|March 13, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Ultrasound (US) measurements of kidney dimensions in children show good reproducibility. This study confirms US is reliable for assessing renal size in clinical and research settings.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Biostatistics

Background:

  • Accurate renal size assessment is crucial in pediatric nephrology.
  • Variability in ultrasound (US) measurements can impact clinical and epidemiological studies.
  • Understanding intraobserver and interobserver variability is essential for reliable US data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver variability of renal measurements in children using ultrasound.
  • To determine the reproducibility and agreement of renal length, width, and thickness measurements.
  • To establish the reliability of US for assessing pediatric renal dimensions.

Main Methods:

  • The study involved 56 paired renal measurements in 28 children (median age 7.5 years).
  • Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of left and right renal length, width, and thickness were assessed.
  • Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland and Altman plots were used to analyze measurement agreement.

Main Results:

  • Intraobserver ICCs for renal dimensions ranged from 0.93 to 0.99, indicating excellent reproducibility.
  • Interobserver ICCs ranged from 0.64 to 0.90, demonstrating good to excellent agreement.
  • Bland and Altman plots showed acceptable limits of agreement for most renal measurements.

Conclusions:

  • Ultrasound (US) demonstrates good reproducibility and agreement for most renal dimensions in children.
  • US is a reliable and appropriate tool for assessing renal dimensions in pediatric clinical and epidemiological studies.
  • The findings support the consistent use of US for monitoring kidney growth and health in children.

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