Decreased renal function in overweight and obese prepubertal children

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

An Immature Murine Model of Reversible Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction
06:37

An Immature Murine Model of Reversible Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

Published on: April 4, 2025

999

Liane Correia-Costa1,2, Alberto Caldas Afonso1,2, Franz Schaefer3

  • 1EPIUnit - Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Pediatric Research
|July 8, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is linked to reduced kidney function, with overweight and obese children showing lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This highlights potential early renal impairment in pediatric obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Public Health
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Obesity is a significant risk factor for kidney disease in both pediatric and adult populations.
  • Understanding the impact of obesity on renal function in children is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between obesity and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in children.
  • To compare eGFR in nonoverweight versus overweight/obese children.
  • To assess the accuracy of different eGFR estimation equations against 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance (CrCl).

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 313 children aged 8-9 years from the Generation XXI birth cohort.
  • Measurements included serum creatinine, cystatin C, and 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance (CrCl).
  • Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated using multiple formulas and compared between nonoverweight (n=163) and overweight/obese (n=150) children.

Main Results:

  • Overweight/obese children exhibited significantly lower eGFR across most estimation methods, excluding CrCl and the revised Schwartz formula.
  • A significant inverse relationship was observed between BMI z-score and eGFR, even within the normal range of renal function.
  • The Zappitelli combined formula demonstrated the highest accuracy and correlation with CrCl for eGFR estimation.

Conclusions:

  • Young children with overweight/obesity demonstrate reduced GFR estimations, suggesting potential renal impairment.
  • Adiposity may contribute to complex deleterious effects on kidney function in prepubertal children.
  • Early identification and management of pediatric obesity are vital for preserving renal health.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

28.1K
White and Brown Adipose Grafts: An Approach to Correct Reproductive, Metabolic, and Renal Deficits in Black and Tan Brachyury (BTBR) Obese Mice06:16

White and Brown Adipose Grafts: An Approach to Correct Reproductive, Metabolic, and Renal Deficits in Black and Tan Brachyury (BTBR) Obese Mice

Published on: September 9, 2025

594

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
345
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
293
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
399
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion01:18

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion

In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
321
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
346
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment01:17

Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment

Renal dysfunction significantly impairs the renal clearance of drugs, leading to potential complications in drug therapy. Renal failure, which can be caused by various factors, poses a significant challenge in the elimination of drugs from the body.
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
554