Age and lean body weight related growth curves of kidneys using real-time 3-dimensional ultrasound in pediatric urology.
OBJECTIVE
Kidney volume and growth are important parameters for evaluating and monitoring several diseases in pediatric urology. Studies have shown the significant relationship of kidney volume and function. Until now normal values of kidney size and growth have been based on 2-dimensional measurements combined with arithmetic formulas for the ellipsoid. Real-time 3-dimensional (RT3D) ultrasound is a new imaging modality. Moreover, corresponding software allows RT3D imaging within a short time exposure. We created nomograms of kidney volumes for routine diagnostics that could serve as a standard for pediatric renal growth assessment, decreasing the need for invasive tests.


METHODS
RT3D volumetry of a total of 620 kidneys in 310 children with a homogeneous age distribution (range newborn to 10 years) and without any evidence of renal impairment was performed using a Voluson 730 (Kretztechnik, Ultrasound, Zipf, Austria) system. Polynomial regression analysis was applied for the prediction and estimation of growth variables of kidney volumes as a function of gender, age, body mass index or lean body weight.


RESULTS
Stepwise multiple regression analysis incorporating the different independent variables indicated with significant correlation that age and lean body weight were the strongest predictors of kidney volumes in children.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that RT3D ultrasound is particularly qualified for evaluating kidney volume in pediatric urology. RT3D volumetry is suitable for monitoring renal growth, reflecting kidney function. Furthermore, this methodology is feasible in screening programs assessing congenital urogenital diseases.
Oswald
Josef
J
Department of Pediatric Urology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Schwentner
Christian
C
Lunacek
Andreas
A
Deibl
Martina
M
Bartsch
Georg
G
Radmayr
Christian
C
D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003199:Computer Systems; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography