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The association of adult kidney size with childhood vesicoureteral reflux

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Abstract

Background

We used ultrasound to measure kidney volumes in adults with a history of childhood vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and assessed whether total renal volume, small kidney size or the thickness of the upper pole correlated with renal function or hypertension.

Methods

The kidneys of 123 adults were studied by ultrasound, calculating their volumes using an ellipsoid formula normalised to body surface area (VolN). The thickness of the upper pole parenchyma and the number of small kidneys (<80% of normal volume) were recorded. Blood pressure measurements and laboratory tests were also performed.

Results

Kidneys with a history of VUR were 12% smaller than those without known VUR (p < 0.05), and those with prior dilating VUR were 16% smaller than those with non-dilating VUR (p < 0.05). There was a moderate correlation (r = 0.42, p < 0.05) between total VolN and GFR values in the total patient series. Thirteen percent of the patients had a moderate decrease in kidney function. The occurrence of hypertension and proteinuria was not affected by either kidney size or a thin upper pole.

Conclusions

Total VolN in ultrasound in early adulthood could probably predict possible renal deterioration in later life. The occurrence of one small kidney was a common finding and seemed not to affect the prevalence of proteinuria or hypertension.

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Acknowledgements

Hanna Roihuvuo-Leskinen has been supported in this work by a grant from the Medical Research Fund of Kanta-Häme Central Hospital.

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We have had no involvements that might raise the question of bias in the work reported, or in the conclusions, implications or opinions stated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, PSHP, L09b, P.O. Box 2000, 33521, Tampere, Finland

    Hanna Roihuvuo-Leskinen & Tuija Lahdes-Vasama

  2. Kanta-Häme Central Hospital, Hämeenlinna, Finland

    Hanna Roihuvuo-Leskinen

  3. Department of Radiology, Helsinki Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Kaija Niskanen

  4. Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Helsinki Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Kai Rönnholm

Authors
  1. Hanna Roihuvuo-Leskinen
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  2. Tuija Lahdes-Vasama
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  3. Kaija Niskanen
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  4. Kai Rönnholm
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hanna Roihuvuo-Leskinen.

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Roihuvuo-Leskinen, H., Lahdes-Vasama, T., Niskanen, K. et al. The association of adult kidney size with childhood vesicoureteral reflux. Pediatr Nephrol 28, 77–82 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-012-2274-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-012-2274-x

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