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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Transdermal Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Mice
Published on: October 21, 2018
Young adults born moderately to extremely preterm have higher eGFR and cystatin C compared to young adults born at
Tyler T Shimfessel1,2, Gregory P Barton1, Keri A Drake2
1Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Insights
Individuals born preterm show higher kidney filtration (eGFR) and cystatin C levels in adulthood, indicating potential hyperfiltration and increased chronic kidney disease risk. Further research on preterm kidney health is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Nephrology
Background:
- Preterm birth is linked to an increased risk of kidney dysfunction in adolescents and adults.
- Incomplete nephrogenesis is a suspected cause of kidney issues in preterm individuals.
- Limited long-term follow-up data exists for U.S.-born preterm cohorts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate long-term kidney function in adolescents and adults born preterm.
- To identify factors influencing kidney function markers in preterm individuals.
Main Methods:
- Recruited preterm (<32 weeks gestation or <1500g) and healthy term-born individuals aged 12-40 years.
- Collected anthropometrics, vitals, and basic laboratory tests.
- Calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the CKD-Epi Creatinine Equation (2021) and performed regression analyses.
Main Results:
- Preterm individuals exhibited higher eGFR (120.5 vs. 112.4 mL/min/1.73 m²) and cystatin C (12.15 vs. 11.46 µg/mL) compared to term-born individuals.
- Gestational age was significantly associated with eGFR and cystatin C; lower gestational age correlated with higher eGFR and cystatin C.
- Creatinine levels were similar between preterm and term groups.
Conclusions:
- Preterm birth is associated with higher eGFR and cystatin C levels in adulthood, despite similar creatinine.
- Elevated eGFR may indicate a hyperfiltrative state in preterm individuals.
- Increased cystatin C suggests a heightened risk for chronic kidney disease progression.
Background:
Adolescents and adults born preterm are at increased risk for kidney dysfunction, possibly secondary to incomplete nephrogenesis. However, few long-term follow-up studies are available from U.S.-born preterm cohorts.
Methods:
Using the Parkland Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Registry (Dallas, TX), patients aged 12-40 years born ≤ 32 weeks gestation or < 1500 g were recruited, along with healthy term-born similarly aged participants. Study procedures included anthropometrics, vitals, and basic laboratory testing. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD-Epi Creatinine Equation (2021). Least squares regressions were used to determine the main effect of neonatal and adult factors on markers of kidney function.
Results:
Participants included 103 preterm (GA 29.5 ± 2.5 wks, current age 26.1 ± 6.0 yrs) and 43 term (GA 39.2 ± 1.1 wks; current age 29.1 ± 7.3 yrs) individuals. Patients born prematurely had similar creatinine (0.73 ± 0.21 vs. 0.82 ± 0.21 mg/dL; p = 0.112), higher eGFR (120.5 ± 17.76 vs. 112.4 ± 16.28 mL/min/1.73 m2; p = 0.003), and higher cystatin C (12.15 ± 3.17 vs. 11.46 ± 2.66 µg/mL; p = 0.035) in adolescence/adulthood compared to term, respectively. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated that gestational age was significantly related to eGFR and cystatin C, where lower GA was associated with higher eGFR but also higher cystatin C.
Conclusion:
Despite similar creatinine, individuals born prematurely had higher eGFR and higher cystatin C. The elevated eGFR suggests a potential hyperfiltrative state, while the elevated cystatin C suggests increased risk for progression to chronic kidney disease.
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