Background: The current glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equation (CKiD) may be less accurate in adolescents and children with higher GFR.
Methods: This was a retrospective study (n = 161, 247 (99)mTc DTPA-GFRs). Six equations were evaluated for bias, accuracy, and low GFR diagnosis: (1) CKiD; (2) historic center; (3) Hoste(age); (4) Hoste(height); (5) modified Pottel; (6) Gao. Children with ≥ vs. <90 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and < vs. ≥16 years were compared. Two adult equations were evaluated in children ≥16 years.
Results: Most equations underestimated GFR by 1-14 % in the higher GFR group, least so for Hoste(age). In the low GFR group, Hoste(age) and historic center overestimated GFR significantly more than CKiD (p < 0.05). Accuracy (within 30 % GFR) was similar across equations and GFR subgroups (66-86 %). In the ≥16 years group, CKiD underestimated GFR by ∼10 %, vs. ∼3 % for Hoste(height). Accuracy was 5-10 % lower in the older group and most equations were more sensitive than specific for detecting low GFR; this discrepancy was less for the Hoste equations. Adult equations were highly inaccurate.
Conclusions: GFR estimation in older children and with higher GFR is suboptimal. The Hoste(height) may be an alternative GFR estimation method; Hoste(age) may allow for height-independent GFR estimation in patients with normal GFR.