Abstract
A comparison of renal size, expressed as ultrasonographic renal parenchymal volume and urographic renal parenchymal area, and renal function, measured as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), was made in two groups of children: (1) 21 patients with normal urograms and no signs of current disease and (2) 26 children with recurrent urinary tract infections or asymptomatic bacteriuria. Renal parenchymal volume was calculated using a water delay ultrasonographic device (Octoson). Renal parenchymal area was measured urographically. GFR and ERPF were determined from the clearances of inulin and PAH, respectively. In both groups a good correlation was found between both GFR and ERPF and total renal parenchymal volume as well as renal parenchymal area. The determination of renal parenchymal volume could possibly replace the determination of GFR and ERPF in healthy children and in children with urinary tract infections with normal and abnormal urograms.