The kidneys are highly vascular organs that filter the blood, removing wastes for excretion and returning the rest of the blood to the vascular system. The functional units of the kidneys are nephrons, each composed of a glomerulus and a tubule.
How is the GFR measured? What are the strengths and limitations of methods of determining GFR?
Often an incidental finding in children during a urinary tract infection workup, in vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), urine flows from the bladder back up the ureters.
Could you explain the mechanism of action of this abnormality in children?
There are two main ways to measure Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR):
1. Direct Measurement:
2. Estimated GFR (eGFR):
Limitations of eGFR:
In VUR, urine flows back from the bladder into the ureters towards the kidneys. This happens due to:
Consequences of VUR:
Treatment:
Remember: Early diagnosis and management of VUR are crucial to prevent potential complications.