Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis
Published on: April 25, 2025
Effect of renal graft on longitudinal growth in prepubertal children
Cagla Serpil Dogan1, Erdem Durmaz, Elif Comak
1Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. d.caglaserpil@yahoo.com
Insights
Renal transplant significantly improves linear growth in children with chronic kidney disease. Younger children and those with better pre-transplant height showed greater growth post-transplant.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Growth and Development
- Transplantation Immunology
Background:
- Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often experience impaired linear growth.
- Growth retardation can persist even after successful kidney transplantation (renal allograft).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate longitudinal growth in prepubertal children during the first two years following renal transplantation.
- To identify factors associated with growth outcomes after kidney transplantation in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal growth and biochemical data were collected for 34 prepubertal children post-renal transplant.
- Height standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated and analyzed.
- Patients were grouped based on SDS increase: Group 1 (<1 SDS increase) and Group 2 (>1 SDS increase).
Main Results:
- Group 2 showed significantly greater height SDS increases (1.62 ± 0.52) compared to Group 1 (0.12 ± 0.34).
- Acute rejection episodes differed significantly between groups (P = .04).
- Younger age and higher pre-transplant height SDS were negatively correlated with height SDS increase.
Conclusions:
- Renal transplantation promotes improved linear growth in prepubertal children.
- Factors like age and baseline height influence post-transplant growth trajectory.
Objectives:
Linear growth impairment frequently accompanies chronic kidney disease in children. Despite successful renal transplant, growth retardation may persist in renal allograft recipients.
Materials And Methods:
We recorded the longitudinal growth and biochemical data of prepubertal children during the first 2 years after renal transplant in 34 children (18 boys [52.9%]; mean age at renal transplant, 7.3 ± 2.5 y; range, 1.4 to 9.8 y). Height standard deviation scores were calculated. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the increase in height standard deviation scores over the first 2 years after renal transplant: group 1 (increases in height standard deviation scores < 1) and group 2 (increases in height standard deviation scores > 1).
Results:
Increases in height standard deviation scores were 0.12 ± 0.34 and 1.62 ± 0.52 for group 1 and group 2 (P < .001). The number of acute rejection episodes was significantly different between groups (P = .04). At renal transplant, increases in height standard deviation scores were negatively correlated with mean age (r: -0.354; P = .04) and height standard deviation scores (r: -0.353; P = .04). In the multivariate model, mean age and height standard deviation scores at renal transplant remained significantly associated with increases in height standard deviation scores (P = .018; β coefficient: -0.341, 95% CI: -0.17; -0.002; and P = .005; β coefficient: -0.431, 95% CI: -0.519; -0.101).
Conclusions:
Renal transplant improves linear growth by providing moderate or accelerated growth in prepubertal children.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
01:29Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
01:28Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration
01:10Nature and Nurture