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 m 2 ) 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.