[Measurement of renal function in children].

Assessment of renal function in children raises several difficulties concerning technical and analytical aspects. Renal function parameters are influenced by both age and renal failure. Inulin clearance is the standard method to measure glomerular filtration rate, but it cannot be routinely used. Among other methods, plasma creatinine determination is not reliable to evaluate the level of renal function or to follow the course of renal diseases. Creatinine clearance estimated from calculations such as Schwartz formula does not provide an accurate estimation of the glomerular filtration rate. More precise estimate can be obtained from endogenous creatinine clearance, providing that the measurement is performed accurately. In this paper the authors review these factors and report personal data obtained from 500 children who underwent renal function investigation.