Variables affecting adolescent renal function in patients born with vesico-ureteric reflux

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Urology
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Investigating perinatal factors impacting adolescent renal function is crucial.
• Low birth weight has been hypothesized to affect kidney function later in life.
• Published data on renal function in adolescents with vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if perinatal history influences adolescent renal function in children with VUR.
• To assess the relationship between birth weight and adolescent renal function in VUR patients.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 61 children (20 boys, 41 girls) diagnosed with VUR in Greece.
• Collected personal/family history, anthropometric data, and measured serum creatinine, GFR, fractional excretion of sodium, urinary albumin, creatinine clearance, cystatin C, and kidney dimensions.
• Analyzed data to identify correlations between perinatal factors and renal function markers.

Main Results:

• A positive association was found between birth weight and adolescent blood pressure in children with VUR (P=0.01).
• Renal function, including GFR, creatinine clearance, and cystatin C levels, appeared intact.
• Kidney dimensions (volume) showed no significant correlation with VUR or renal function parameters.

Conclusions:

• While birth weight correlates with adolescent blood pressure in VUR patients, it does not indicate impaired renal function.
• Adolescent kidney function remains normal in children born with VUR, irrespective of gestational age or birth weight.
• VUR itself does not appear to lead to renal function deterioration in adolescence.