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Doppler studies in normal kidneys of healthy children
1Kinderklinik St. Georg, Leipzig, Germany.
Insights
This study determined normal Doppler ultrasound values for pediatric kidney perfusion. Resistance index (RI) in the right renal artery decreased with age over six years, while pulsatility index (PI) remained consistent.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Medical Imaging
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
Background:
- Doppler ultrasound is widely used for pediatric kidney diseases.
- Normal values for renal perfusion indices (Resistance Index - RI, Pulsatility Index - PI) in healthy children are not well-established.
- Existing reports on pediatric RI and PI values are limited and sometimes contradictory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative values for RI and PI in a healthy pediatric population.
- To investigate the correlation of RI and PI with age and side in pediatric renal arteries.
- To provide data that may refine Doppler sonographic assessments in pediatric kidney diseases.
Main Methods:
- Doppler ultrasound was used to measure RI and PI in the renal arteries of a large group of healthy children.
- Statistical analysis was performed to assess correlations with age and side.
- Comparison with existing literature was conducted.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation between RI and age was observed in the right renal artery; children over 6 years had lower RI than younger children.
- PI showed relative independence from both age and side.
- These findings differ from some previous reports.
Conclusions:
- The RI of the right renal artery may be a valuable parameter in pediatric kidney disease assessment.
- PI, in addition to RI, might assist in diagnosing chronic or unilateral kidney conditions like ureteral obstruction or reflux.
- These normative data may influence future Doppler investigations of pediatric renal pathologies.
Abstract:
Despite the widespread use of Doppler ultrasound in kidney diseases of adults and children, there are only a few, partially contradictory reports of normal values of resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of renal perfusion in a healthy pediatric population. This study was carried out to determine normal values for these parameters in a larger group of probands. For the RI correlation with age was most pronounced in the right renal artery, with children over 6 years having a significantly lower RI than younger children. The PI was relatively independent of side and age. These results are somewhat different to previous reports. These differences may influence future Doppler sonographic investigations of acute and symmetrically affected kidneys (nephrological diseases). Our data suggest that the RI of the right renal artery might be most useful. In chronical or unilateral kidney diseases (unilateral ureteral obstruction, reflux, or operation) investigation of the PI in addition to the RI may aid diagnosis.