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Birth weight influences the kidney size and function of Bangladeshi children

F Ferdous1, E Ma2, R Raqib3

  • 11Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences,University of Tsukuba,Tsukuba,Japan.

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
|December 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight in children adversely impacts kidney size and function. Improving kidney volume in these children is linked to better estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Early-life conditions significantly shape organ development and long-term health.
  • Maternal and postnatal factors influence kidney size and function in children, particularly in regions like Bangladesh.
  • Limited research exists on the specific relationship between early-life conditions, kidney size, and kidney function in childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between early-life conditions and childhood kidney size.
  • To compare the influence of these early-life factors on kidney function.
  • To determine the relationship between kidney volume and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in children.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based prospective cohort study followed 1067 full-term singleton live births.
  • Kidney volume was assessed via ultrasound at 4.5 years of age.
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was measured at 9 years of age.

Main Results:

  • Children with low birth weight exhibited significantly smaller kidney volumes compared to normal birth weight children.
  • A transition from low to normal birth weight was associated with a kidney volume increase of 2.92 cm3/m2.
  • Each unit increase in kidney volume correlated with a 0.18 ml/min/1.73 m2 improvement in eGFR.
  • Low birth weight children had a 5.44 ml/min/1.73 m2 lower eGFR than normal birth weight children.

Conclusions:

  • Low birth weight has detrimental effects on kidney size and function in children.
  • Early interventions to improve kidney size may enhance kidney function in children.
  • Findings highlight the critical role of birth weight in pediatric kidney health and non-communicable disease risk.

Keywords:
birth weightchildrenestimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)kidney volume

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