Measuring and estimating glomerular filtration rate in children.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of clinical methods and equations without systematic search or original data
PubMed 27115887 · doi:10.1007/s00467-016-3373-x
What was done
This narrative review describes methods for directly measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR) via renal inulin clearance and plasma clearance of alternative exogenous markers (evaluating the plasma disappearance curve). It also reviews the derivation, application, and clinical limitations of pediatric estimated GFR (eGFR) equations based on serum creatinine, cystatin C, and demographic factors.
What was found
The abstract provides conceptual descriptions of GFR measurement protocols and estimation formulas rather than quantitative comparative data; no specific numerical results, accuracy metrics, or error rates are reported.
Why it matters
Accurate GFR assessment in children is critical for diagnosing renal disease, tracking progression, and calculating appropriate drug dosing. Understanding the trade-offs between gold-standard clearance measurements and routine eGFR equations aids proper clinical application.
Limits
The paper is a non-systematic narrative review providing no new empirical data or quantitative synthesis. The abstract does not specify diagnostic accuracy metrics (e.g., P30 values, bias, or precision) for individual pediatric eGFR formulas.
Cited by
- supports Inulin clearance is the gold standard method for measuring glomerular filtration rate.