Estimating GFR in children with 99mTc-DTPA renography: a comparison with single-sample 51Cr-EDTA clearance

摘要

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement by 51Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and blood sampling in children is usually cumbersome for the patient, parents and laboratory technicians. We have previously developed a method accurately estimating GFR in adults. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of this non-invasive method in children. We calculated GFR from 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) renography and compared with 51Cr-EDTA plasma clearance of 29 children between the age of 1?month and 12?years (mean 4·7?years). The correlation between 99mTc-DTPA renography and 51Cr-EDTA plasma clearance was for all children R?=?0·96 (n?=?29, P<0·0001), for children above 2?years of age R?=?0·96 (n?=?18, P<0·0001) and for children <2?years R?=?0·84 (n?=?11, P<0·001). We conclude that assessment of GFR from 99mTc-DTPA renography is reliable and comparable to GFR calculated from 51Cr-EDTA plasma clearance. Because our method is non-invasive and only takes 21?min, it may be preferable in many cases where an assessment of renal function is needed in children especially when renography is performed anyhow.