[Normal percentiles of kidney size in children as measured by ultrasonography]

Abstract

The most anomaly of kidney development and urinary tract diseases have an effect on the size of the kidneys. Kidney size (renal length and parenchymal thickness) is readily measurable by ultrasonography, but the evaluation remains subjective without the use of appropriate standards. The aim of authors was, to produce a centile chart for normal kidney size based on US measurement in healthy Hungarian children. Renal length and renal parenchymal thickness (upper pole, middle part and lower pole) as well body weight and height were measured in 330 children. Normograms (centile charts) with 10th, 50th and 90th centiles were produced for body weight/height and renal length/parenchymal thickness. Renal length correlated strongly with both body weight (r = 0.93, p < 0.001) and height (r = 0.93, p < 0.001). The centile chart for renal size enables the objective evaluation of abnormal kidney size; it can help in the early recognition and follow up of urinary diseases.