EFFECT OF IOPENTOL ON RENAL-FUNCTION AND ITS USE FOR CALCULATION OF GLOMERULAR-FILTRATION RATE IN CHILDREN

Nineteen children received Tc-99m-DTPA for renography. The next day th ey received a simultaneous injection of the non-ionic contrast medium iopentol for urography and another injection of Tc-99m-DTPA. The glome rular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated from the plasma elimination of Tc-99m-DTPA as well as iopentol. Serum concentrations of creatinine and beta(2)-microglobulin, and urine concentrations of creatinine, be ta(2)-microglobulin, alkaline phosphatase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, a nd albumin were determined. A significant reduction (12 +/- 3%) of GFR was observed after the injection of iopentol, without a subsequent ri se in serum creatinine or beta(2)-microglobulin. The urinary excretion of albumin and beta(2)-microglobulin remained unchanged, while the ex cretion of alkaline phosphatase and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase was signi ficantly increased after the urography, indicating some tubular effect s of iopentol. Iopentol caused few and mild adverse events, the diagno stic yield was high, and the small changes in the renal tubular functi on parameters are presumed to be without clinical importance. The obse rved depressive effect on the GFR demands further investigations befor e iopentol can be recommended as a GFR-marker in children.