[The normal kidney size in children. An ultrasound study]

Our clinical observation that the kidney size and volume of pediatric patients, determined by ultrasound, differ significantly from the standard value schedules (Weitzel) in general use led us to reevaluate the size and volume of normal kidneys in infancy and childhood sonographically. In a retrospective study, 205 out of 3500 children investigated sonographically in the years 1984-1987 at the University Hospital for Children in Ulm were selected and the ultrasound findings evaluated. Children with any disease that might possibly influence kidney growth were excluded. Ultrasound volume and size were analyzed statistically and showed a close correlation with body size, body weight and body surface. Our results show that the values in the Weitzel schedules are wrong.