Objective: To evaluate the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) in an outpatient pediatric population with high prevalence of obesity.
Design and methods: eGFR was evaluated in 901 children unselected for chronic kidney disease of whom 694 were overweight/obese (6-16 years) and 207 were age- and sex-matched normal weight (NW). We generated three categories of eGFR: mild-low eGFR (< 20th percentile), high eGFR (>80th percentile) and intermediate eGFR (20-80th percentile), considered as the reference category
Results: Children with either mild-low or high eGFR category showed a 2-4 fold higher Odds ratio of high blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, and microalbuminuria compared with children of the intermediate eGFR category. In addition, children with mild-low eGFR levels showed a 1.5-2 fold higher Odds ratio of impaired fasting glucose and high white blood cell count compared with children with intermediate eGFR levels.
Conclusions: In outpatient children with high prevalence of obesity, children with either mildly reduced or high eGFR have an increased burden of CMRF. Children with eGFR < 97 mL/min/1.73 m² show a worse CMR profile. This finding supports the usefulness to assess eGFR to identify children with unfavorable CMR profile.