When will the Glomerular Filtration Rate in Former Preterm Neonates Catch up with Their Term Peers?

AIMS: Whether and when glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in preterms catches up with term peers is unknown. This study aims to develop a GFR maturation model for (pre)term-born individuals from birth to 18 years of age. Secondarily, the function is applied to data of different renally excreted drugs. METHODS: We combined published inulin clearance values and serum creatinine (Scr) concentrations in (pre)term born individuals throughout childhood. Inulin clearance was assumed to be equal to GFR, and Scr to reflect creatinine synthesis rate/GFR. We developed a GFR function consisting of GFRbirth (GFR at birth), and an Emax model dependent on PNA (with GFRmax, PNA50 (PNA at which half of GFR max is reached) and Hill coefficient). The final GFR model was applied to predict gentamicin, tobramycin and vancomycin concentrations. RESULT: In the GFR model, GFRbirth varied with birthweight linearly while in the PNA-based Emax equation, GA was the best covariate for PNA50, and current weight for GFRmax. The final model showed that for a child born at 26 weeks GA, absolute GFR is 18%, 63%, 80%, 92% and 96% of the GFR of a child born at 40 weeks GA at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years and 12 years, respectively. PopPK models with the GFR maturation equations predicted concentrations of renally cleared antibiotics across (pre)term-born neonates until 18 years well. CONCLUSIONS: GFR of preterm individuals catches up with term peers at around three years of age, implying reduced dosages of renally cleared drugs should be considered below this age.

Serum and plasma levels of Ba, but not those of soluble C5b-9, might be affected by renal function in chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: During the last few decades, pathogenic mechanisms associated with uncontrolled activation of the complement (C) system and development of anti-C agents have been closely investigated in the field of nephrology. The usefulness of some C products such as C5a and sC5b-9 for diagnostic and prognostic purposes remains controversial. On the other hand, decreased renal function is being observed in many patients with or without nephritis as a background factor in progressively aging societies. We therefore investigated whether renal function influenced the evaluation of various complement components and activation products. METHODS: To investigate the influence of renal function on evaluations of C3, C4, CH50, Ba, C5a and sC5b-9, 40 patients were retrospectively chosen from among 844 patients without active glomerulonephritis from 2009 to 2016. We measured plasma and serum levels of C3, C4, CH50, Ba, C5a and sC5b-9 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and compared the findings with inulin clearance (Cin) as a marker of preserved renal function. RESULTS: Both plasma and serum levels of Ba correlated significantly with Cin, but other values did not. Compared with patients with Cin ≥ 60 or ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, plasma and serum levels of Ba were increased in patients with Cin decreased to < 60 or < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, but levels of C5a and sC5b-9 were not. CONCLUSION: The influence of renal function might need to be considered when evaluating Ba, but not C5a and sC5b-9, in plasma and serum samples from chronic kidney disease patients.

Comparison of inulin clearance with 2-h creatinine clearance in Japanese pediatric patients with renal disease: open-label phase 3 study of inulin.

BACKGROUND: There is no approved dosage and administration of inulin for children. Therefore, we measured inulin clearance (Cin) in pediatric patients with renal disease using the pediatric dosage and administration formulated by the Japanese Society for Pediatric Nephrology, and compared Cin with creatinine clearance (Ccr) measured at the same time. We examined to what degree Ccr overestimates Cin, using the clearance ratio (Ccr/Cin), and confirmed the safety of inulin in pediatric patients. METHODS: Pediatric renal disease patients aged 18 years or younger were enrolled. Inulin (1.0 g/dL) was administered intravenously at a priming rate of 8 mL/kg/hr (max 300 mL/hr) for 30 min. Next, patients received inulin at a maintenance rate of 0.7 × eGFR mL/min/1.73 m2 × body surface area (max 100 mL/hr) for 120 min. With the time the maintenance rate was initiated as a starting point, blood was collected at 30 and 90 min, while urine was collected twice at 60-min intervals. The primary endpoint was the ratio of Ccr to Cin (Ccr/Cin). RESULTS: Inulin was administered to 60 pediatric patients with renal disease; 1 patient was discontinued and 59 completed. The primary endpoint, Ccr/Cin, was 1.78 ± 0.52 (mean ± standard deviation). Regarding safety, five adverse events were observed in four patients (6.7%); all were non-serious. No adverse reactions were observed in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The results in this study on the dosage and administration of inulin showed that inulin can safely and accurately determine GFR in pediatric patients with renal disease. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT03345316.

A plasma creatinine- and urea-based equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate in rats.

Monitoring renal function is a vital part of kidney research involving rats. The laborious measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with administration of exogenous filtration markers does not easily allow serial measurements. Using an in-house database of inulin clearances, we developed and validated a plasma creatinine- and plasma urea-based equation to estimate GFR in a large cohort of male rats [development cohort n = 325, R2 = 0.816, percentage of predictions that fell within 30% of the true value (P30) = 76%] that had high accuracy in the validation cohort (n = 116 rats, R2 = 0.935, P30 = 79%). The equation was less accurate in rats with nonsteady-state creatinine, in which the equation should therefore not be used. In conclusion, applying this equation facilitates easy and repeatable estimates of GFR in rats.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first equation, that we know of, which estimates glomerular filtration rate in rats based on a single measurement of body weight, plasma creatinine, and plasma urea.

Maturation of glomerular filtration rate in neonates and infants: an overview.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increases progressively throughout fetal life, matures rapidly after birth according to gestational and post-menstrual age, and reaches adult values by 1-year post-natal age. GFR is considered the best marker of kidney function, and in clinical practice, estimated GFR is useful to anticipate complications, establish prognosis, and facilitate treatment decisions. This review article summarizes the maturation of glomerular filtration and the factors and conditions that modulate and impair developing glomerular filtration, and discusses the techniques available to assess GFR in neonates and infants. We focused on simple, reliable, easily available, and cheap techniques to estimate GFR, which may provide valuable information on the renal aspects of the clinical care of this group of patients.

Mean of creatinine clearance and urea clearance examined over 1 h estimates glomerular filtration rate accurately and precisely in children.

AIM: Accurate and precise estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is essential in kidney disease. We evaluated the usefulness of the mean of creatinine clearance (CCr ) and urea clearance (CUN ) examined over a 1-h urine collection period (1-h (CCr + CUN )/2) in a retrospective, cross-sectional study across two centres, as a relatively simple method for estimating GFR in children. METHODS: Children aged ≤18 years who underwent inulin clearance (CIn ) tests were eligible. Two clearance values were obtained during a 2-h test consisting of two periods of 1 h each. The mean clearance in two periods was defined as 1-h clearance. 1-h (CCr + CUN )/2, 1-h CCr , 1-h CUN and GFR estimated by Cr-based and cystatin C (CysC)-based formulas for Japanese children were compared with CIn . Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate correlations. The primary outcome measure was the correlation between 1-h (CCr + CUN )/2 and CIn . RESULTS: Fifty-three children were analysed. Their median age was 10.9 (interquartile range [IQR] 5.3-14.2) years, and median CIn and 1-h (CCr + CUN )/2 were 77.0 (IQR: 51.5-95.1) and 81.0 (IQR: 64.1-97.7) ml/min/1.73 m2 , respectively. Percentage difference of CIn and 1-h (CCr + CUN )/2 in the Bland-Altman plot was -11.2% (95% confidence interval - 15.3% - -7.1%), with 95% lower and upper limits of agreement of -40.3% and 18.0%, respectively. Thus, 1-h (CCr + CUN )/2 was 1.12 times CIn . CONCLUSION: 1 h (CCr + CUN )/2 was almost concordant with CIn . 1-h (CCr + CUN )/2 can estimate GFR accurately and precisely, making it a simple and speedy test for use in clinical practice.

Assessment of kidney function using inulin-based and estimated glomerular filtration rates before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Accurate evaluation of kidney function before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is important for both informed decision making and detection of chronic kidney disease. However, to the best of our knowledge, no report has evaluated the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in pediatric patients who underwent HSCT using the gold standard GFR measurement, as well as inulin-based GFR (iGFR). METHODS: We assessed iGFR before and after allo-HSCT to evaluate the impact of allo-HSCT on GFR in a prospective cohort study of 17 pediatric patients. We also assessed the accuracy and bias of the values of estimated GFR (eGFR) calculated using serum creatinine (Cr), cystatin C (CysC), beta-2 microglobulin (ß2 MG), 24-h creatinine clearance (24hCcr), and the full chronic kidney disease in children (CKiD) index that combines Cr, CysC, and blood urea nitrogen-based equations with iGFR as a reference to identify the most reliable equation for GFR. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the values before and after allo-HSCT. CKiD CysC-, 24hCcr-, and full CKiD-based values showed good within 30% (P30) accuracy (80.6%, 79.3%, and 80.6%, respectively), but only 24hCcr and full CKiD had good mean bias (8.5% and 8.9%, respectively) and narrow 95% limits of agreement (-32.2 to 52.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 and -29.3 to 47.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 , respectively) compared with the corresponding iGFR. CONCLUSION: There was no significant impact of allo-HSCT on GFR in our cohort. The most reliable equations for pediatric patients with allo-HSCT were eGFR-24hCcr and eGFR-full CKiD.

Increased Glomerular Hydrostatic Pressure is Associated with Tubular Creatinine Reabsorption in Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND: Cr is secreted by the proximal tubules and thus Cr clearance (Ccr) can overestimate inulin clearance (Cin). However, in some cases, Ccr can even underestimate Cin. This suggests that Cr could be reabsorbed in the tubuli. We examined the clinical parameters that are associated with tubular Cr reabsorption. METHODS: In 80 kidney donor candidates (53.9 ± 13.2 years, 29 males), Cin and para-aminohippuric acid clearance were measured simultaneously. Intrarenal hemodynamic parameters were calculated by Gomez's formulae. To quantify the secretory component of Ccr (SFcr), it was calculated as follows: SFcr = (Ccr - Cin)/Ccr. RESULTS: Twenty-five subjects (31.3%) showed SFcr values <0. SFcr that correlated significantly and negatively with efferent arteriolar resistance (Re) and glomerular hydrostatic pressure (Pglo) (Re: r = -0.30, p = 0.008; Pglo: r = -0.28, p = 0.025). In multiple regression analyses, Re and Pglo were significantly and negatively associated with SFcr after adjustment for other confounders. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that tubular reabsorption of Cr can occur in some cases. Intrarenal glomerular hemodynamic burden may be related to tubular creatinine reabsorption, which possibly leads to lower Ccr values.

Assessment of renal function in living kidney donors before and after nephrectomy: A Japanese prospective, observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of estimated glomerular filtration rate for assessing kidney function in living kidney donors before and after nephrectomy. METHODS: A total of 101 donors underwent inulin clearance measurements before and 1 year after nephrectomy. The mean of three inulin clearance values was used as the measured glomerular filtration rate. Estimated glomerular filtration rate based on serum creatinine and cystatin C levels was calculated using the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate equation, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula and new full age spectrum equation. Age-adjusted chronic kidney disease was defined as glomerular filtration rate <75 mL/min/1.73m2 for donors aged <40 years, <60 mL/min/1.73m2 for donors aged 40-65 years and <45 mL/min/1.73m2 for donors aged >65 years. RESULTS: The postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and age-adjusted chronic kidney disease rate were 36.0% and 27.0%, respectively. In younger donors (aged <50 years), postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and age-adjusted chronic kidney disease rates were 5.3% and 26.3%, respectively. In older donors (aged >70 years), postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 and age-adjusted chronic kidney disease rates were 75.0% and 33.3%, respectively. Donor age and measured glomerular filtration rate were significant predictors of postoperative measured glomerular filtration rate. The Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate equation based on creatinine and cystatin C showed the strongest correlation with measured glomerular filtration rate. However, the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate equation based on creatinine overestimated the prevalence of measured glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2 , whereas the Japanese estimated glomerular filtration rate based on cystatin C underestimated it. CONCLUSIONS: Aged donors might have an increased risk of lower glomerular filtration rate after donor nephrectomy; post-surgery, long-term monitoring of renal function is recommended. Measurement of glomerular filtration rate should be carried out for donors, especially pre-surgery. A more precise glomerular filtration rate equation is required in the future.

Corticosteroids significantly increase cystatin C levels in the plasma by promoting cystatin C production in rats.

Background: Several studies have shown that non-renal factors such as corticosteroids may increase plasma cystatin C levels without affecting kidney function. However, the mechanisms underlying this are unclear. We hypothesized that corticosteroids may increase cystatin C levels in the plasma by promoting its production in tissues. In the present study, we aimed to test our hypothesis in rats by investigating the effect of corticosteroids on cystatin C production in tissues and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), as measured by the gold standard method (i.e., inulin clearance). Results: Dexamethasone treatment was associated with much higher concentrations of cystatin C in all organ tissue homogenates tested. Dexamethasone increased plasma cystatin C levels in rats, without any decrease in renal inulin clearance. The impact of dexamethasone on plasma and organ tissue cystatin C levels was abolished by RU486, indicating the effect was glucocorticoid receptor-mediated. Conclusions: Our study provides direct evidence that corticosteroids may increase cystatin C levels in the plasma by promoting its production, without any decrease in GFR.

Comparison of serum levels of Cystatin-C and traditional renal biomarkers for the early detection of pre-hypertensive nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare serum Cystatin-C and serum creatinine levels along with estimated glomerular filtration rate of apparently healthy people of South Asian descent with pre-hypertension to determine which is better in detecting reversible renal dysfunction. METHODS: :The comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in 2013-14, and comprised apparently normal healthy male and female volunteers. The subjects were divided into normotensive group 1 and pre-hypertensive group 2. Serum Cystatin-C levels were measured by sandwhich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique whereas serum creatinine levels were measured by Jaffe's procedure. Glomerular filtration rate estimation was done by using standard equations. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 78 subjects, 39(50%) were in normotensive group 1 and 39(50%) in the pre-hypertensive group 2. The mean age was 38.74 } 5.71 years in group 1 and 38.07 } 3.84 years in group 2. Serum Cystatin-C levels were higher in group 2 than in group 1(p= 0.0001), whereas serum creatinine levels manifested no statistical difference between the groups (p=0.106). Estimated glomerular filtration rate based on Cystatin-C significantly decreased in group 2 than in group 1 (p=0.0001). Serum Cystatin-C displayed a significant positive correlation and estimated glomerular filtration rate based on Cystatin-C negative correlation with the rising blood pressure values (p=0.0001).Serum Cystatin-C reflected a very high sensitivity and specificity at a cutoff value of 0.77 mg/l compared to serum creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: Serum Cystatin-C and Estimated glomerular filtration based on rate Cystatin-C appeared to be better renal biomarkers in the detection of pre-hypertensive nephropathy.

Clinical benefits of using inulin clearance and cystatin C for determining glomerular filtration rate in HIV-1-infected individuals treated with dolutegravir.

INTRODUCTION: Dolutegravir may inhibit creatinine transporters in renal tubules and elevate serum creatinine levels. We investigated the usefulness of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured using inulin clearance (Cin), creatinine clearance (Ccr), and estimated GFR based on both serum creatinine (eGFRcre) and serum cystatin C (eGFRcys). PATIENTS & METHODS: HIV-1-infected Japanese patients with suppressed viremia and whose antiretroviral drug was switched to dolutegravir from other drugs were included (n = 108, Study 1). We compared eGFRcre and eGFRcys at the start and after 48 weeks of dolutegravir administration. For the patients providing consent, we measured Cin and Ccr (n = 15, Study 2). We assessed biases and accuracy and compared Cin with eGFRcre, eGFRcys, and Ccr. RESULTS: There were no differences in serum cystatin C and eGFRcys between baseline and at 48 weeks. Moreover, eGFRcre was significantly less accurate (within 30% of measured GFR) than both eGFRcys and Ccr (40% accuracy compared to 93% and 93%, respectively). eGFRcys was significantly less biased than eGFRcre and Ccr (p < 0.0001, p = 0.00036, respectively). No significant difference between Cin and eGFRcys was observed. eGFRcys was significantly correlated with Cin (γ = 0.85, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: eGFRcys provided the most precise estimate and most closely approximate Cin in HIV-1-infected Japanese patients with suppressed viremia treated with dolutegravir. We demonstrated clinical benefits of inulin clearance and eGFRcys. This is the first study performing inulin clearance for HIV-1-infected individuals and to show data for eGFRcys from a large cohort following a switch to dolutegravir from other antiretroviral agents.

Existing creatinine-based equations overestimate glomerular filtration rate in Indians.

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is important for diagnosis and risk stratification in chronic kidney disease and for selection of living donors. Ethnic differences have required correction factors in the originally developed creatinine-based GFR estimation equations for populations around the world. Existing equations have not been validated in the vegetarian Indian population. We examined the performance of creatinine and cystatin-based GFR estimating equations in Indians. METHODS: GFR was measured by urinary clearance of inulin. Serum creatinine was measured using IDMS-traceable Jaffe's and enzymatic assays, and cystatin C by colloidal gold immunoassay. Dietary protein intake was calculated by measuring urinary nitrogen appearance. Bias, precision and accuracy were calculated for the eGFR equations. RESULTS: A total of 130 participants (63 healthy kidney donors and 67 with CKD) were studied. About 50% were vegetarians, and the remainder ate meat 3.8 times every month. The average creatinine excretion were 14.7 mg/kg/day (95% CI: 13.5 to 15.9 mg/kg/day) and 12.4 mg/kg/day (95% CI: 11.2 to 13.6 mg/kg/day) in males and females, respectively. The average daily protein intake was 46.1 g/day (95% CI: 43.2 to 48.8 g/day). The mean mGFR in the study population was 51.66 ± 31.68 ml/min/1.73m2. All creatinine-based eGFR equations overestimated GFR (p < 0.01 for each creatinine based eGFR equation). However, eGFR by CKD-EPICys was not significantly different from mGFR (p = 0.38). The CKD-EPICys exhibited lowest bias [mean bias: -3.53 ± 14.70 ml/min/1.73m2 (95% CI: -0.608 to -0.98)] and highest accuracy (P30: 74.6%). The GFR in the healthy population was 79.44 ± 20.19 (range: 41.90-134.50) ml/min/1.73m2. CONCLUSION: Existing creatinine-based GFR estimating equations overestimate GFR in Indians. An appropriately powered study is needed to develop either a correction factor or a new equation for accurate assessment of kidney function in the Indian population.

U-shaped relationship between serum uric acid levels and intrarenal hemodynamic parameters in healthy subjects.

Hyperuricemia has been reported to affect renal hemodynamics. In a recent study, both low and high levels of serum uric acid (SUA) were found to be associated with loss of kidney function. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between SUA levels and intrarenal hemodynamic parameters in healthy subjects, using plasma clearance of para-aminohippurate (CPAH) and inulin (Cin). Renal and glomerular hemodynamics were evaluated by simultaneous measurements of CPAH and Cin in 48 healthy subjects (54.6 ± 13.4 yr). Intrarenal hemodynamic parameters, including efferent and afferent (Ra) arteriolar resistance, were calculated using Gómez's formulas. Relationships of SUA levels with these intrarenal hemodynamic parameters were examined. In quadratic regression analysis, SUA levels had a significant inverse U-shaped relationship with Cin (P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.350) and CPAH (P = 0.0093, R2 = 0.188) and a U-shaped relationship with Ra (P = 0.0011, R2 = 0.262). In multiple regression analysis with normal (3.5-6.0 mg/dl) and mildly low or high (<3.5 or >6.0 mg/dl) SUA levels entered as dummy variables of zero and one, respectively, mildly low or high SUA levels were significantly and independently associated with Ra (ß = 0.230, P = 0.0403) after adjustment for several factors (R2 = 0.597, P < 0.0001). Both mild hyperuricemia and mild hypouricemia are significantly associated with increased Ra, although weakly. The increase in Ra in subjects with mild hyperuricemia or hypouricemia may be related to renal hemodynamic abnormalities, possibly leading to a decline in renal function.

Assessment of kidney function in children by enzymatic determination of 2- or 24-h creatinine clearance: comparison with inulin clearance.

BACKGROUND: Although renal inulin clearance (Cin) is the gold standard for evaluation of kidney function, it cannot be measured easily. Therefore, creatinine clearance (Ccr) is often used clinically to evaluate kidney function. Enzymatically measured Ccr was recently found to be much higher than Cin because of the tubular secretion of creatinine (Cr). This study compared three measures of renal clearance, inulin, 2-h Ccr, and 24-h Ccr, in children. METHODS: Kidney function was evaluated in 76 children (51 males and 25 females) aged 1 month to 18 years with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by three renal clearance methods at almost the same time. RESULTS: Correlations between each pair of three renal clearance measurements were determined. Approximate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was equal to 62 % of 2-h Ccr or 76 % of 24-h Ccr. CONCLUSION: Cr secretion by renal tubules was approximately 50 % of the GFR. In this study, we indicate that the measurements of 2-h Ccr or 24-h Ccr do not show true GFR but we could infer approximate GFR from the values. The use of 2- or 24-h Ccr might contribute to the treatment of pediatric CKD patients.

Association Between Plasma Aldosterone Concentration and Intraglomerular Hemodynamics in Primary Aldosteronism.

BACKGROUND: In primary aldosteronism (PA), aldosterone could affect glomerular hemodynamics by elevating renal vascular resistance and glomerular capillary pressure. However, the relationship between plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) and glomerular hemodynamics including efferent arteriolar resistance (Re), and afferent arteriolar resistance (Ra) in humans is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of PAC with intraglomerular hemodynamic parameters in patients with PA. METHODS: An observational study of glomerular hemodynamics was performed using simultaneous measurements of plasma clearance of para-aminohippurate and inulin (Cin; glomerular filtration rate (GFR)) in 17 patients with PA. Kidney function was evaluated by Cin, estimated GFR based on serum creatine (eGFRcre) and serum cystatin C (eGFRcys) and creatine clearance (Ccr). Intraglomerular hemodynamic parameters, including Re, Ra, and intraglomerular hydrostatic pressure (Pglo) were calculated using Gomez's formulae. RESULTS: In the 17 PA cases, PAC was significantly correlated with Cin (rho = 0.752, P = 0.001) and eGFRcys (rho = 0.567, P = 0.018), but was not correlated with eGFRcre and Ccr. PAC was also significantly correlated with Pglo, Re, and urinary protein/day (rho = 0.775, P = 0.0004, rho = 0.625, P = 0.009, and rho = 0.625, P = 0.007, respectively). Multivariable regression analysis showed that PAC was significantly associated with Cin and Re. In comparing aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and non-APA cases, Cin was significantly elevated in APA (P = 0.037), whereas eGFRcre, eGFRcys, and Ccr were not. Re tended to be higher in APA (P = 0.064). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest high aldosterone causes glomerular hyperfiltration by constricting Re. Cin, but not eGFRcre and Ccr, may be useful for evaluating kidney function in PA.

Height-independent estimation of glomerular filtration rate in children: an alternative to the Schwartz equation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of 2 height-independent equations used to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), those of Pottel (eGFR-Pottel) and the British Columbia Children's Hospital (BCCH) (eGFR-BCCH), with the commonly used Schwartz equation (eGFR-Schwartz). STUDY DESIGN: We externally validated eGFR-Pottel and eGFR-BCCH in a well-characterized pediatric patient population (n = 152) and compared their diagnostic performance with that of eGFR-Schwartz using Bland-Altman analysis. All patients underwent glomerular filtration rate measurement using the gold standard single-injection inulin clearance method (GFR-inulin). RESULTS: Median GFR-inulin was 92.0 mL/min/1.73 m² (IQR, 76.1-107.4 mL/min/1.73 m²). Compared with GFR-inulin, the mean bias for eGFR-Schwartz was -10.1 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (95% limits of agreement [LOA], -77.5 to 57.2 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), compared with -12.3 mL/min/1.73 m² (95% LOA, -72.6 to 47.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) for eGFR-Pottel and -22.1 mL/min/1.73 m² (95% LOA, -105.0 to 60.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) for eGFR-BCCH. eGFR-Pottel showed comparable accuracy to eGFR-Schwartz, with 77% and 76% of estimates within 30% of GFR-inulin, respectively. eGFR-BCCH was less accurate than eGFR-Schwartz (66% of estimates within 30% of GFR-inulin; P < .01). CONCLUSION: The performance of eGFR-Pottel is superior to that of eGFR-BCCH and comparable with that of eGFR-Schwartz. eGFR-Pottel is a valid alternative to eGFR-Schwartz in children and could be reported by the laboratory if height data are not available.

Performance of estimated glomerular filtration rates to monitor change in renal function in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Glomerular filtration rate estimates (e-GFR) are often used to evaluate the changes in renal function, but have not been validated for this purpose in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of e-GFR for monitoring serial changes in renal function in KTR using directly measured GFR by inulin clearance (I-GFR) as the reference standard. METHODS: Performances of inverse serum creatinine (1/creat) and Cockcroft and Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formulas were assessed to estimate the changes in I-GFR. RESULTS: A total of 1935 I-GFR clearance procedures were performed in 631 KTRs who underwent serial measurements between 2003 and 2009. The baseline median I-GFR were 51.0 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (confidence interval 95%: 23-84 mL/min/1.73 m(2)]. The performances of 1/creat and formulas for detecting the I-GFR variations between two consecutive measurements (n = 1304) were similar. To detect the variations of <20% (increase or decrease), sensitivities ranged between 50 and 56%, and specificities between 64 and 69%. To detect the variations >20% (increase or decrease), sensitivities ranged between 27% and 39%, and specificities between 88 and 97%. Bland-Altman plots confirmed the scattering of values for individual patients. CONCLUSIONS: In a population of Caucasian KTRs, the mean changes in GFR are correctly estimated whatever the formula used in the range of 23-84 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and can thus be applied in population studies. However, in clinical practice, individual changes in GFR evaluated by formulas should be interpreted with caution in KTRs.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin distribution in preterm newborns without acute kidney injury as defined by a reference method.

INTRODUCTION: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been proposed as an early acute kidney injury (AKI) biomarker in the neonatal population. Our goal is to describe this biomarker behavior in this high-risk population, in absence of AKI as confirmed by inulin clearance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study including 42 preterm newborns (mean gestational age: 30.7 ± 2.3 weeks) with a urinary NGAL collection between day 1 and 6 of life. RESULTS: Median urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) value is 122.8 ng/ml (7-1981.5 ng/ml). Statistically significant higher uNGAL values are found in female. uNGAL median values are decreasing when comparing extremely, very, and late preterm groups (812.2 ng/ml [75.8-1453.9] vs. 124.4 ng/ml [31.4-1981.5] vs. 65.3 ng/ml [7.1-1091]). There is a statistically significant inverse correlation between gestational age and uNGAL values (Pearson's coefficient r= -0.37). uNGAL median values are higher in groups exposed to gentamicin, neonatal asphyxia, early onset sepsis, or patent ductus arteriosus. Median inulin clearance is 18.8 ml/min/1.73 m2 [14.8-25.5 ml/min/1.73 m2]. There is no correlation between uNGAL values and inulin clearance results (Pearson's coefficient r=-0. 29, p: .06). CONCLUSIONS: In this preterm newborn's series without AKI, the median uNGAL and its high variability are in accordance with published reference ranges. Correlation between uNGAL and gestational age exists, as well as gender impact. Newborns exposed to different renal insults present higher uNGAL values, suggesting potential undetected tubular toxicity or reflecting NGAL production in case of inflammatory or ischemic processes.

Change of renal function after short-term use of cardioprotective agents in patients with type 2 diabetes is not accurately assessed by the change of estimated glomerular filtration rate: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: After initiating cardioprotective agents, a fall of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has been reported in several studies. Our goal was to evaluate the accuracy of change of Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) after short-term pharmacological intervention with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin-receptor blocker, gliptin or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor. METHODS: We analyzed 190 patients with T2D in the early stage of the disease, having no overt renal impairment by CKD-EPI equation. In each patient, we measured GFR (mGFR) by applying the constant infusion input clearance technique with sinistrin (Inutest; Fresenius, Linz, Austria) at baseline and after short-term (4-12 weeks) pharmacological intervention with cardioprotective agents (ramipril, telmisartan, linagliptin, metformin, empagliflozin) that potentially lead to an alteration of renal function. Simultaneously, a standardized analysis of serum creatinine was performed and eGFR was estimated by the CKD-EPI equation. RESULTS: Average mGFR was 111 ± 20 ml/min/1.73m2, whereas eGFR was lower with 93 ± 13 ml/min/1.73m2. The ratio eGFR/mGFR in relation to mGFR was almost curvilinear, showing an underestimation of renal function by eGFR in the upper normal range. At baseline only 80 patients (42%) lay within ± 10% of mGFR and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was extremely low (- 0.07). After short-term pharmacological intervention changes in eGFR and mGFR correlated with each other (r = 0.286, p < 0.001). For example, for a given mGFR of 111 ml/min/1.73m2, a change of mGFR by ± 10% corresponded to ± 11 ml/min/1.73m2, but the confidence interval of eGFR was 25 ml/min/1.73m2. The CCC was low (0.22). CONCLUSION: The agreement between eGFR by CKD-EPI and mGFR is modest and the change of renal function after short-term pharmacological intervention is not accurately and precisely reflected by the change of eGFR in patients with T2D in the early stage of their disease.