Renal function up to the 5th decade of life after nephrectomy in childhood: a literature review

The aim of the present study was to find out if in children ablation of 50% of renal mass may be associated with a progressive renal damage (Brenner’s hypothesis). We collected 1035 adult or adolescent survivors who underwent nephrectomy for unilateral oncological or non-oncological causes during childhood. Stratification of all survivors for age revealed that the number of subjects with blood hypertension and/or renal dysfunction (glomerular filtration rate < 90 mL/min per 1.73 m2) to be significantly higher in survivors ≥30 years old in comparison with younger patients. Available data on long-term renal function after nephrectomy during childhood support the Brenner’s hypothesis.