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Reference ranges for serum cystatin C measurements in Japanese children by using 4 automated assays

Nahoko Yata1, Osamu Uemura, Masataka Honda

  • 1The Japanese Society for Pediatric Nephrology, The Committee of Measures for Pediatric CKD, Tokyo, Japan, nahoko_yata@tmhp.jp.

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology
|March 1, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Reference ranges for serum cystatin C (a kidney function marker) in Japanese children are now available. These age-, gender-, and assay-specific ranges aid in accurately assessing pediatric kidney health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Limited and conflicting data exist on reference ranges for cystatin C in pediatric populations.
  • Accurate reference ranges are crucial for reliable assessment of kidney function in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish comprehensive reference ranges for serum cystatin C in Japanese children.
  • To investigate the influence of age, gender, race, and assay methodology on cystatin C levels.

Main Methods:

  • Serum cystatin C levels were analyzed in 1128 Japanese children (3 months to 16 years) without kidney disease.
  • Four different automated assays were employed for measurement.
  • Age-, gender-, race-, and assay-specific ranges were calculated.

Main Results:

  • Median cystatin C levels were highest in term infants, decreasing within the first two years of life.
  • Levels remained stable until age 14, then declined in older adolescents (15-16 years).
  • Slightly higher levels were observed in males aged 12-16 years, with notable assay-specific variations.

Conclusions:

  • Age-, gender-, race-, and assay-specific reference ranges for cystatin C are essential for accurate pediatric kidney function assessment.
  • These defined ranges provide a valuable tool for clinicians evaluating kidney health in children.
  • Further research may refine these ranges and their clinical application.
Abstract

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