Sonographic evaluation of renal size and its correlation with laboratory indices among healthy pregnant women in Kano, Nigeria.

Abstract

In pregnancy, sonographic measurements of the renal length and volume are important for the evaluation and follow up of patients with renal pathologies. Change in renal size is an indicator for many physiological and pathological conditions. This study was aimed at establishing normative value of renal dimension among apparently healthy pregnant women in Kano. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano from April 2021 to March 28, 2022. Using a convenience sampling method, 196 pregnant women were recruited. An ultrasound machine coupled with 3.5MH curvilinear transducer was used as instrument of data collection. The subjects were scanned in supine and lateral decubitus. The renal size and parenchymal echogenicity were recorded on data capture sheet. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 23.0. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. The mean right and left renal length, height, width and volume 10.4 ± 0.7, 6.1 ± 0.5, 4.7 ± 0.4, 155.0 ± 24.5, 11.0 ± 0.7, 6.2 ± 0.5, 4.8 ± 0.4, 170.7 ± 23.9 respectively. The mean CD4+ cells count, serum creatinine and urea were 787.8 ± 227.5; 64.0 ± 11.2; 2.9 ± 0.6 respectively. There was a statistical significant difference between right and left renal length and volume (p < 0.05). The renal size shows a weak positive correlation with CD4+ cells count, serum creatinine and urea. Reference values for renal dimensions, CD4 cells count serum creatinine and urea were established among healthy pregnant women in Kano metropolis.