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The progression of serum cystatin C concentrations within the first month of life after preterm birth—a worldwide systematic review

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Abstract

Multiple single-center studies have examined the progression of kidney function biomarkers such as serum cystatin C (Cys C) in the first 30 days of life (DOL) after preterm birth, but from different ethnicities and in different gestational ages (GA), without a functional summary available. We performed a systematic literature review within PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, with additional use of the snowballing method to find studies including data on serum Cys C concentrations in the first 30 DOL. We identified 15 papers that met criteria, published from 2000 to 2019, from 10 countries across 4 continents, in 1468 babies born preterm. Cys C was superior to creatinine in 11/13 studies, and equal in 2/13. For infants born at 24–28 weeks GA, the DOL1 Cys C concentrations ranged from 1.44 to 1.90 mg/L, from 1.20 to 1.77 on DOL3, and from 1.36 to 2.02 between DOL 4 and 30. For infants born at 29–33 weeks GA, the DOL1 Cys C values ranged from 1.41 to 1.96 mg/L, from 1.28 to 1.70 on DOL3, and 1.51 to 1.87 between DOL 4 and 30. For preterm infants born after 34 weeks GA, the DOL1 Cys C values ranged from 1.22 to 1.96 mg/L, from 1.24 to 1.85 on DOL3, and 1.22 to 1.82 between DOL 4 and 30. This systematic review provides generalizable worldwide reference data on Cys C that could be used to estimate progression or resolution of abnormal kidney function in the first months after preterm birth, stratified by GA.

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Acknowledgments

PIT is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of, and a consultant to, MediBeacon Inc., and a potential recipient of royalty income from a patent assigned to MediBeacon. These efforts relate to MediBeacon’s work on a test for intestinal permeability and not to their technology relevant to determining glomerular filtration rates. He is also a consultant to Takeda Pharmaceuticals in the topic area of childhood intestinal disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Hypertension and Pheresis, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Room NWT 10-119, CB 8116, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    Anjana Renganathan & Vikas R. Dharnidharka

  2. Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Anjana Renganathan

  3. Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Barbara B. Warner

  4. Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Phillip I Tarr

  5. Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Phillip I Tarr

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  1. Anjana Renganathan
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  2. Barbara B. Warner
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  3. Phillip I Tarr
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  4. Vikas R. Dharnidharka
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Correspondence to Vikas R. Dharnidharka.

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Renganathan, A., Warner, B.B., Tarr, P.I. et al. The progression of serum cystatin C concentrations within the first month of life after preterm birth—a worldwide systematic review. Pediatr Nephrol 36, 1709–1718 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-020-04543-1

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