Novel estimating equation of GFR in children without height information performs as well as the Schwartz equation

INTRODUCTION The current practice for estimating glomerular fi ltration rate in children uses the Schwartz-equation (eGFR-Schwartz), which requires patient height and serum creatinine concentration. Unfortunately, height data are not routinely available in most laboratories so that eGFR-Schwartz cannot be reported automatically. Recently, Pottel et al. established a method (eGFR-Pottel) to estimate GFR from serum creatinine and age-related creatinine reference values. In their hands, performance was similar to eGFR-Schwartz. If reliable, eGFR-Pottel allows direct reporting of GFR in children by the laboratory leading to improved patient care. We validated eGFR-Pottel in a well-characterized patient population.