Glomerulotubular Balance and Functional Compensation in Nephrectomized Children

Abstract

Results of renal function studies in 17 nephrectomized children were compared with those from children with a congenital nondiseased solitary kidney of similar age. An early glomerulotubular balance was demonstrated in all patients, but maximal tubular excretion of PAH was only achieved over 4 years after nephrectomy. Patients with a solitary kidney, congenital or acquired, showed a significant tubular predominance and a significant decrease of renal plasma flow per unit of tubular excretory mass when compared with a series of healthy children with two kidneys (p < 0.05; p < 0.005).