Child Kidney Disease: New Biomarker for Risk Assessment
yale researchers have developed a groundbreaking biomarker panel, representing a significant stride forward in assessing the progression of childhood chronic kidney disease (CKD). This innovative panel—including urine and plasma markers—aims to revolutionize risk assessment, potentially leading to better monitoring and treatment strategies for young patients. The study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, underscores the urgent need for more accurate prediction tools, given the severe impact of kidney failure in children. This new approach, leveraging biomarkers related to kidney tubule health, injury, as well as inflammation, offers a more nuanced understanding of individual disease progression. By identifying children at the highest risk, doctors may be able to provide more targeted and preventative care. improved risk knowledge will allow high-risk children and parents to engage in preventative strategies,while those at lower risk can reduce the frequency of medical visits. News Directory 3 is following developments closely. Discover what’s next with this crucial pediatric health advancement.
Biomarker Panel Improves Risk Assessment of Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease
Updated June 11, 2025
A new study from Yale School of Medicine has identified a biomarker panel that enhances the prediction of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in children. The research, published in the Journal of the American society of Nephrology, offers potential for improved clinical monitoring and treatment strategies for pediatric CKD patients.
researchers focused on improving the prediction of disease progression due to the high mortality rates associated with kidney failure in children, which often necessitates dialysis or a kidney transplant. The study involved over 500 children, aged six months to 16 years, participating in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) Cohort Study. Investigators measured biomarkers in plasma and urine to develop a panel that substantially improved CKD progression prediction.
The biomarker panel builds upon earlier work examining biomarkers related to kidney tubule health, injury, dysfunction, and inflammation. Statistical modeling identified the most informative predictors of pediatric CKD. The final panel included urine albumin/creatinine ratio, urine epidermal growth factor/creatinine ratio, plasma kidney injury molecule-1, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. These biomarkers helped identify children at the highest risk of CKD progression.
Jason Greenberg, associate professor of pediatrics (nephrology) at Yale, led the study. He noted the research demonstrates that a combination of biomarkers representing key pathways of kidney health can significantly improve risk prediction for chronic kidney disease.
“While current clinical biomarkers only partially capture the variability of CKD progression, this research demonstrates that a combination of biomarkers which represent key pathways of kidney health can significantly improve risk prediction,” Greenberg said.
F. Perry Wilson, associate professor of medicine (nephrology) and public health (chronic disease epidemiology) and director of the CTRA, emphasized the project’s translation of lab discoveries to clinical practice. He said that improved risk knowledge will allow high-risk children and parents to engage in preventative strategies,while those at lower risk can reduce the frequency of medical visits.
What’s next
The researchers hope that this biomarker panel will be integrated into clinical practice to aid in the early identification of children at high risk for chronic kidney disease progression, leading to more personalized and effective treatment plans.