Clinical characteristics and follow-up results of the children with unilateral renal agenesis and hypoplasia

Abstract

Objective: Children with an inadequate number of nephrons have an increased risk of developing hypertension, proteinuria and chronic kidney disease in later life. This renal injury is caused by glomerular hyperfiltration. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical characteristics and follow-up results of the children with unilateral renal agenesis and hypoplasia.

Methods: We evaluated the clinical, radiological, and nuclear medicine findings of the children with unilateral agenetic or hypoplastic kidneys who were followed at Celal Bayar University School of Medicine and Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Hospital between 2005 and 2012.

Results: The study consisted of 30 (60%) males and 20 (40%) females with a mean age of 8.9+/-4 years. A total of 25 patients were with renal agenesis and 25 with renal hypoplasia were diagnosed. On laboratory evaluation, mean serum creatinine level was 0.45+/-0.22 mg/dl and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 144+/-30.3 ml/min. 29 patient (58%) had hyperfiltration according to an eGFR. Proteinuria and hypertension were noted in 1 (4%) patient. Urological anomalies were found in 15 patients (30%).

Conclusion: Our study has determined that children with unilateral renal agenesis and hypoplasia had normal serum creatinine values. Howewer 29 patients (58%) had hyperfiltration according to eGFR. Because many children with hiperfiltration develop renal injury in later life, we emphasize the need for clinical follow-up in these patients starting at birth.