Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
03:19

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Published on: June 21, 2024

Sonographic long-term study: paediatric growth charts for single kidneys

E M Spira1, C Jacobi, A Frankenschmidt

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Mathildenstrasse 1, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with a single kidney generally have a good prognosis, with adequate growth and function. However, pathological sonomorphology may indicate chronic kidney disease, proteinuria, and short stature.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Renal Physiology

Background:

  • A single kidney, whether solitary or with a non-functioning contralateral kidney, presents unique clinical considerations in pediatric patients.
  • Understanding the long-term outcomes and sonomorphological characteristics is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical course of children with a single kidney.
  • To correlate renal function (GFR, proteinuria), growth, and sonomorphological features.
  • To establish reference centiles for assessing renal size in pediatric single kidneys.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective monocentric study of 119 children with a single kidney (1997-2007).
  • Median follow-up of 6.3 years with at least three renal ultrasounds.
  • Separate analysis of six patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage III or worse.

Main Results:

  • Common etiologies included multicystic dysplastic kidney, tumor nephrectomy, and renal agenesis.
  • Single kidneys showed normal size and adequate growth, with compensatory hypertrophy in one-third of patients.
  • Six patients with CKD (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m²) exhibited pathological sonomorphology, inadequate growth, abnormal echogenicity, and associated proteinuria and short stature.

Conclusions:

  • New reference centiles for pediatric single kidney size were generated for improved patient and parent counseling.
  • Evidence supports a generally benign clinical course for children with a single kidney, provided there is no additional pathology in the remnant kidney.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Use of 3D Robotic Ultrasound for In Vivo Analysis of Mouse Kidneys08:21

Use of 3D Robotic Ultrasound for In Vivo Analysis of Mouse Kidneys

Published on: August 12, 2021

Use of Ultra-high Field MRI in Small Rodent Models of Polycystic Kidney Disease for In Vivo Phenotyping and Drug Monitoring07:35

Use of Ultra-high Field MRI in Small Rodent Models of Polycystic Kidney Disease for In Vivo Phenotyping and Drug Monitoring

Published on: June 23, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies01:28

Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) StudiesKidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) studies are standard diagnostic imaging procedures used to assess the anatomy of the urinary system. They are commonly utilized for patients experiencing abdominal pain or urinary symptoms. By using a simple X-ray of the abdomen, KUB studies can reveal structural and pathological abnormalities within the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These studies are particularly valuable in diagnosing kidney stones, urinary...
Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography01:24

Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography

IntroductionUltrasonography, or renal ultrasound, is a noninvasive medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and surrounding tissues.Indications for Urinary System UltrasonographyUrinary system ultrasonography is indicated in various clinical scenarios, such as:Kidney Stones (Urolithiasis): To detect and monitor the size and presence of kidney or urinary tract stones.Hydronephrosis: To assess the dilation of the renal pelvis and...
External Anatomy of the Kidney01:21

External Anatomy of the Kidney

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs in the human body that play a critical role in maintaining overall health. They filter out waste products from the blood, regulate blood pressure, maintain electrolyte balance, and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...
Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography01:27

Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography

DefinitionComputed Tomography (CT) of the genitourinary (GU) tract is a non-invasive imaging modality that utilizes X-rays and computer processing to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and adjacent structures such as the adrenal glands.PurposeCT scans of the GU tract serve several diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Diseases: Detects kidney stones, tumors, cysts, and congenital...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Kidney Structure01:45

Kidney Structure

The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.