Creatinine for evaluation of glomerular filtration rate in children.

This report is to provide primary care physicians with a convenient method for identifying children with impaired kidney function. This is important because of the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in adults and because intervention may delay disease progression. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured using cimetidine clearance and calculated using height and serum creatinine concentration were compared during 222 clearance studies in 32 pediatric patients over 8 years. A child 1 year or older with a calculated GFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 has a significantly reduced GFR and should be referred to a pediatric nephrologist for further evaluation.