Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025
Transdermal Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Mice
Published on: October 21, 2018
Cystatin C-derived estimated glomerular filtration rate in children with sickle cell anaemia
Hakeem Edun Babatunde1, Afeez Oyesola Bello2, Muhammed A Nurudeen Adeboye3
1Department of Disease Control and Elimination, Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, P. O. Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia. edunhakim@gmail.com.
Insights
Sickle cell nephropathy is common in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA), with many exhibiting supernormal or decreased glomerular filtration rates (GFR). Clinical features of chronic kidney disease (CKD) were not significantly associated with decreased GFR in SCA patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent inherited blood disorder with significant renal complications.
- Early detection of sickle cell nephropathy is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- This study focuses on renal function in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cystatin C-derived estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in children with SCA versus healthy controls.
- To correlate clinical features of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with decreased GFR in children with SCA.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 86 children with SCA and 86 healthy controls (aged 1-14 years).
- Serum cystatin C levels were measured using ELISA to calculate GFR via Filler's equation.
- Clinical data and anthropometric measurements were collected.
Main Results:
- Children with SCA showed a significantly different mean GFR compared to controls (116 ± 30 vs. 106 ± 24 mL/min/1.73m²).
- Prevalence of supernormal GFR (>140 mL/min/1.73m²) was 19.8% and decreased GFR (<90 mL/min/1.73m²) was 22.1% in SCA patients.
- No significant association was found between decreased GFR and clinical features like age at diagnosis, blood transfusions, blood pressure, packed cell volume, or edema.
Conclusions:
- Supernormal GFR is prevalent in children with SCA.
- Clinical indicators of CKD were not significantly linked to reduced GFR in this cohort.
- Regular renal function monitoring is recommended for children with SCA to prevent progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Background:
Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in humans and constitutes a major public health burden. It is a multisystemic condition with long-term renal complications. Early detection of sickle cell nephropathy and initiation of appropriate interventions are associated with improved survival and quality of life. This study aimed to compare the cystatin C-derived estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the study groups and also, to correlate the clinical features of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with decreased GFR in children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA).
Methods:
This hospital-based cross-sectional analytic study recruited 86 SCA subjects in steady-state and 86 age and sex-matched healthy HbAA controls aged 1-14 years who attended the Paediatric Haematology and Outpatient clinics of Federal Medical Centre Bida over six months. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, and participants' length/height, weight, and blood pressure were measured using standard procedures. Blood samples were drawn for serum cystatin C assay via the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Filler's equation was used to calculate the glomerular filtration rate.
Results:
There was a significant difference in the mean cystatin C-derived GFR between the two groups, i.e. 116 ± 30mL/min/1.73m2 vs. 106 ± 24mL/min/1.73m2 for the SCA and control groups, respectively (p = 0.017). The prevalence of supernormal GFR (i.e. GFR > 140mL/min/1.73m2) and decreased GFR (i.e. GFR < 90mL/min/1.73m2) was 19.8% and 22.1%, respectively, in children with SCA. There was no significant association between the age at diagnosis of SCA, blood transfusions, blood pressure, packed cell volume and presence of peripheral oedema with decreased GFR in the study subjects.
Conclusions:
Supernormal GFR is common in children with SCA and there is no significant association between clinical features of CKD with decreased GFR. Regular evaluation of renal function is, however, recommended in children with SCA for early detection and treatment of renal complications in order to halt the progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Related Concept Videos
01:17Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
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...
01:23Renal Clearance
Renal clearance refers to the volume of plasma cleared of a specific substance, such as creatinine, per unit of time. To measure clearance, urine samples are collected over a 24-hour period during each bladder voiding, followed by a single blood sample at the...
01:28Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation
GFR regulation involves two primary intrinsic controls: the myogenic and tubuloglomerular feedback mechanisms.
The myogenic...
01:02Renal Drug Excretion: Glomerular Filtration
Drugs gain access to the kidney via the renal artery, which progressively branches off into afferent arterioles....