Measurement of glomerular filtration rate in children using technetium-99m diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid.

During the past 5 years, we have measured the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by the slope-clearance method using technetium-99m diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) in 130 infants and children. The results in 22 children have been compared with inulin clearance, and a very good correlation between the two methods of measurement of GFR was demonstrated (r = 0,9616; P less than 0,0001). This study provides further evidence that 99mTc-DTPA is a satisfactory agent for the clinical measurement of GFR in children.