Kidney size estimation in Korean children with Technesium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy

Abstract

PurposeRenal size is an important indicator to determine adequate organ growth in children. The aim of this study was to estimate renal size with Technesium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan and propose a simple formula for predicting renal length in normal Korean children.MethodsThis study included 346 children (148 boys and 198 girls; age range, 1 month to 17 years) in whom renal length was measured using the DMSA scan. Patients with anatomical renal abnormalities or acute pyelonephritis were excluded. Children were divided into two groups: 214 children (61.8%) were less than a year old (group 1) and 132 (38.2%) were ≥1 year (group 2).ResultsRenal length was larger on the left side than the right side, and there was no significant gender-related difference in renal length. We propose the following formula for renal length based on the analysis of the 346 children in our study: the formula was as follows: 4.682×age (month)0.137, R2=0.780. In group 1, the formula was renal length (cm)=0.127×age (month)+5.144, R2=0.354, and in group 2, the formula was 0.334×age (year)+6.477, R2=0.829.ConclusionIt is difficult to establish simple formulae in infants (R2=0.354). Therefore, further studies including relevant variables are needed for this age group. We proposed formulae to estimate renal length in Korean children over 1 year of age by using the DMSA scan.

Height-Based Formula Predicting Renal Length in Korean Children derived from Technesium-99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Scan

“…In spite of the fact that DMSA scan provides accurate renal length, little has been reported about renal length using it [5][6][7][8] . We evaluated the association of renal length measured by DMSA scan and anthropometric indices, and proposed a height-based formula to predict renal length in children.…”

“…Renal length is correlated with age, height, weight, and BSA 3,14,16) . Age is convenient and has been used as a variable in previous univariate equations 3,6,7) . However, it is difficult to predict renal length in all ages with a single age-based formula since kidney grows fast during the first year of life 3,7) .…”

“…Age is convenient and has been used as a variable in previous univariate equations 3,6,7) . However, it is difficult to predict renal length in all ages with a single age-based formula since kidney grows fast during the first year of life 3,7) . Previous formulae based on age were applied to children > 1 year, but they were not applicable to infants 3,7) .…”

“…Renal length value measured by DMSA scan may not satisfy the formula obtained by ultrasonography data since the renal length measured by DMSA scan exceeded that measured by ultrasonography 5) . However little has been reported about renal length using DMSA scans in children [5][6][7][8] .…”

“…In previous study, we established age-based formula for estimating renal length using DMSA scan data in children, but found that renal length was poorly estimated by a simple age-based formula in infants younger than 1 year of age 7) . In the present study, we evaluated the relationships between several anthropometric indices and renal length measured by DMSA scan, and established a simple, exact formula to predict renal length in children of all ages in relation to height, the best correlated anthro pometric index.…”