Abstract

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the most widely used test to evaluate renal function. Several clearance markers have been used to measure GFR in adults. In children, however, a simple and reliable method to measure GFR is not available. Renal 125iodine (I)-iothalamate clearance, after a single subcutaneous injection, is a simple and accurate test to measure GFR in adults. The validity of unlabelled iothalamate, as a marker for measurement of GFR in children, was reported recently. Unfortunately, the unlabelled iothalamate assay is arduous. We report our experience with a single subcutaneous injection of 125I-iothalamate to measure GFR in normal children and those with renal disease. A weight-adjusted dosing regimen was adopted. This regimen resulted in sufficient above-background radioactivity in both blood and urine for reproducible measurement of GFR. Intra-test variability for GFR was not affected by the degree of renal insufficiency. The test was well tolerated with only 2 patients developing mild headache during the procedure. Our study showed that renal clearance of 125I-iothalamate is reproducible, simple, and practical in healthy children and those with mild and advanced renal disease.

View details for Web of Science ID A1996TV34200007

View details for PubMedID 8611350