title: Estimated nephron number of the remaining donor kidney: impact on living kidney donor outcomes.
abstract: It has been demonstrated that low birth weight gives rise to a reduction in nephron number with increased risks for hypertension and renal disease. Its impact on renal function in kidney donors, however, has not been addressed.
  
  
  
  To investigate the impact of birth weight, kidney weight, kidney volume and estimated nephron number on kidney function, we collected data from 91 living kidney donors before nephrectomy, at +12, +36 and +60 months after nephrectomy.
  
  
  
  Birth weight showed a positive correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at +12, +36 and +60 months after nephrectomy (P < 0.05). The strongest link was observed in donors >50 years old (R = 0.535, P < 0.001 at +12 months). Estimated nephron number and eGFR showed a strong positive correlation at +12, +36 and +60 months after nephrectomy (R = 0.540; R = 0.459; R = 0.506, P < 0.05). Daily proteinuria at +12 months showed a negative correlation with birth weight (P = 0.009). Donors with new-onset hypertension showed significantly lower birth weights and higher uric acid levels (P < 0.05). Kidney weight and volume did not show any impact on donor outcomes (P > 0.05).
  
  
  
  Low nephron number predisposes donors to inferior remaining eGFR, hypertension and proteinuria. The strong correlation in elderly donors may be attributed to reduced renal functional reserve due to the decline of renal function with age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Clinic, Berlin, Germany Berlin-Brandenburg Center of Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schachtner
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Clinic, Berlin, Germany Berlin-Brandenburg Center of Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reinke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009399:Nephrons / Q000166:cytology*; D009929:Organ Size; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014527:Uric Acid
keywords: birth weight; living donor; nephron number; renal transplantation