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Comparison of renal function between normal-weight and overweight children
B Falakaflaki1, S Mazloomzadeh, A Moradzade
1Department of Pediatrics, Mousavi Hospital, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
Insights
Overweight children showed no significant differences in kidney function compared to normal-weight children. This study assessed glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria, and calciuria in pediatric subjects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is linked to various health issues, including kidney disease, though research primarily focuses on adults.
- Understanding the impact of excess weight on kidney function in children is crucial for early intervention and long-term health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare renal function indicators between normal-weight and overweight children aged 7-12 years.
- To investigate the association between childhood overweight and early signs of kidney dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 92 children (46 overweight, 46 normal-weight), matched for age and sex.
- Analysis included measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine albumin/creatinine ratio, urine calcium/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, and serum creatinine.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed in GFR between overweight and normal-weight children.
- Albuminuria, calciuria, blood pressure, and serum creatinine levels did not significantly differ between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- The study found no immediate adverse effects on key renal function markers in overweight children compared to their normal-weight peers.
- Further longitudinal studies are needed to ascertain the long-term renal health outcomes associated with childhood obesity.
Abstract:
Obesity in children is associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, colon cancer, and kidney disease. Most of the studies that evaluate the association between obesity and kidney disease have been done in adults. This study was planned to compare renal function between normal-weight and overweight children. In this case-control study, 92 children (45 boys, 47 girls) aged 7-12 years were included in the analysis. 46 children (23 boys, 23 girls) with BMI 85(th) percentile or greater (mean age, 9.09 years) were compared with 46 controls (22 boys, 24 girls) with BMI 5(th)-84(th) percentile (mean age, 8.63 years). Blood and urine sample were taken from case and control groups. Urine albumin/creatinine ratio and urine calcium/creatinine ratio and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were determined. Children in the overweight and control groups were matched according to age and sex. Glomerular filtration rate, urine calcium/creatinine ratio, urine albumin/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, and serum creatinine were compared between normal-weight and overweight children. Our finding showed no significant difference regarding GFR, albuminuria, calciuria, blood pressure, and serum creatinine between normal-weight and overweight children.
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