[Simplified determination of proteinuria in children using a single urine sample]
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Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
E Bisaz1, M G Bianchetti, R Donati
1Abteilung für Nephrologie, Universität, Inselspital, Bern, Schweiz.
Insights
The random urine protein/creatinine ratio accurately assesses protein excretion in pediatric patients, simplifying diagnosis by eliminating the need for timed urine collections in evaluating kidney disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Clinical Chemistry
Context:
- Evaluating proteinuria in children and adolescents typically requires cumbersome timed urine collections.
- Accurate quantitative assessment of protein excretion is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring renal disease in pediatric populations.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the accuracy of the random urine protein/creatinine ratio as a substitute for timed urine collections in pediatric patients with renal disease.
- To establish reference ranges for the urine protein/creatinine ratio in healthy children and adolescents.
Summary:
- A study involving 134 pediatric patients with renal disease and 252 healthy children demonstrated a close correlation between the random urine protein/creatinine ratio and overnight urine protein excretion rates.
- The upper limit of the urine protein/creatinine ratio in healthy individuals was determined to be 19 mg/mmol, with no significant age-related differences observed.
- The protein/creatinine ratio, measured using Coomassie blue binding and kinetic Jaffe reaction methods, proved to be an accurate and practical method for assessing proteinuria.
Impact:
- The random urine protein/creatinine ratio offers a simpler, more accurate, and less burdensome method for evaluating proteinuria in pediatric patients.
- This method can reduce diagnostic errors and improve the efficiency of managing kidney disease in children and adolescents.
Abstract:
In children and adolescents the evaluation of proteinuria is cumbersome because of the need to obtain timed urine collections. The protein/creatinine ratio (using a Coomassie blue binding technique and a kinetic Jaffe reaction, respectively) measured in 134 pediatric patients with renal disease aged 2 months to 16 years correlated closely with the overnight urine protein excretion rates using the statistical approach suggested by Bland and Altman to compare methods of measuring some quantity. The upper limit of urinary protein/creatinine ratio measured in 252 healthy children and adolescents aged 4 to 19 years was shown to be 19 mg/mmol. No age-related differences in urinary protein excretion were noted in healthy subjects. The random urine protein/creatinine ratio provides an accurate assessment of quantitative protein excretion and avoids errors and difficulties associated with timed urine collection.
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