Assessment of Renal Growth and Function in Preterm Infants at Corrected Age of 12–18 Month

Objective: To assess the kidney growth and function in appropriate for date and small for date (SGA) preterm neonates. Methods: Appropriate for date and SGA preterm neonates with gestation <35 weeks, at 12–18 months of corrected age, attending the follow-up outpatient clinic of a Tertiary care level III neonatal unit. Renal function was assessed by measuring the serum creatinine level and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) was calculated by using modified Schwartz formula. Kidney size was determined by ultrasonography using a 5 MHz sector probe with an accuracy of 1.0 mm. Results: The mean (SD) serum creatinine and eGFR in the 120 children enrolled were 0.39 (0.16) mg/dL and 109.05 (44.66) mL/min/1.73 m 2 , respectively. The mean (SD) lengths of right and left kidney were 54.3 (4.9) mm and 55.2 (4.77) mm, respectively. The kidney length, serum creatinine and eGFR were significantly lower in preterm SGA infants as compared to preterm AGA infants. Conclusion : Preterm infants, especially SGA infants, at 12 to 18 months of corrected age have impaired renal growth with small kidney size.