SynthesisPediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany)2026
Kidney health outcomes in children born very prematurely compared to full-term counterparts: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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1 citing paper in PubMed.
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10 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAdvances in neonatal care have improved survival rates in preterm neonates. However, concerns persist regarding the long-term kidney implications of prematurity. Nephrogenesis is disrupted, particularly in those born very preterm (≤ 32 weeks of gestation), increasing the risk of early kidney dysfunction and hypertension later in life.
objectivesThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate kidney health outcomes in former very preterm children and adolescents compared to full-term peers. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from their earliest available records to October 9, 2024. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included observational studies comparing kidney health parameters between children/adolescents born very preterm (gestational age - GA ≤ 32 weeks) and their full-term counterparts (gestational age > 36 weeks or birth weight > 2000 g) within the age range of 6 to 18 years. PARTICIPANTS AND
interventionsChildren and adolescents aged 6-18 years born very preterm were compared to their full-term counterparts. The analyzed kidney function markers included serum Cystatin C, serum creatinine (sCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on sCr (Cr-eGFR), and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic, SBP/DBP). STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS
methodsThe Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. The mean difference with 95% confidence intervals was used for continuous outcomes. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Sensitivity, subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted for further exploration of the outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using R software (Version 4.3.2).
resultsThirteen studies (16 reports; 2,112 participants) were included. Very preterm children and adolescents had higher serum Cystatin C (0.05 mg/L; 95%CI: 0.02-0.08), lower Cr-eGFR (-11.87 mL/min/1.73 m LIMITATIONS: Considerable heterogeneity across studies persisted despite sensitivity and subgroup analyses. The lack of randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies limits result interpretation, while non-significant meta-regression findings hinder full explanation of heterogeneity. Insufficient data prevented the assessment of additional kidney function parameters. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY
findingsCystatin C was elevated in very preterm individuals compared to full-term peers, reinforcing its role as an early marker of kidney dysfunction. While differences in Cr-eGFR and SBP lost significance after sensitivity analysis, these markers remain relevant for long-term follow-up in this vulnerable population. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO (CRD42024554702).
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