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Author Spotlight: Developing a Bedside Protocol for Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasonography
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Ultrasonographic reference values and a simple yet practical formula for estimating average kidney length in Japanese

Naoya Fujita1, Osamu Uemura2, Ryoko Harada3

  • 1Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, 426 7-chome, Morioka-cho, Obu, Aichi, 474-8710, Japan. fujita708@hkg.odn.ne.jp.

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology
|April 17, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes reliable kidney length reference values and prediction formulas for Japanese children using ultrasonography. These findings aid in diagnosing and managing pediatric kidney diseases effectively.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Biostatistics

Background:

  • Accurate kidney size assessment is crucial for pediatric kidney disease management.
  • Existing ultrasonographic reference values for kidney length in Japanese children lack robustness and sufficient sample size.
  • There is a need for reliable diagnostic tools in pediatric nephrology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish detailed and simple ultrasonographic reference values for kidney length in Japanese children.
  • To develop practical estimation formulas for average and lower limit of normal kidney length.
  • To provide robust data for clinical practice in pediatric nephrology.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of ultrasonographic kidney measurements from 1984 Japanese children (aged ≤18 years).
  • Development of detailed reference values by aggregating left/right kidneys separately for boys and girls.
  • Creation of simple reference values and regression-based formulas for kidney length estimation.

Main Results:

  • Established detailed and simple reference values for kidney length based on 3968 kidneys.
  • Generated a formula for average kidney length: kidney length (cm) = body height (m) × 5 + 2.
  • Developed a formula for the lower limit of normal kidney length in children under 130 cm height.

Conclusions:

  • Established comprehensive ultrasonographic reference values for kidney length in Japanese children.
  • Provided simple reference values and practical estimation formulas for clinical use.
  • Aimed to improve the diagnosis and management of kidney diseases in pediatric populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
Chronic kidney diseaseKidney lengthPediatric nephrologyPrediction formulaReference valueUltrasonography

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