What should be the value of k in schwarts formula for >1 yr old child
0.45 or 0.55
Schwartz formula is a commonly used equation to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in children based on their serum creatinine levels, age, and height. The formula is as follows:
GFR (mL/min/1.73 m2) = k × height (cm) / serum creatinine (mg/dL)
The value of k in the Schwartz formula depends on the age of the child. For children older than one year, the recommended value of k is 0.55. This is because the GFR increases rapidly during the first year of life and then gradually decreases until it reaches adult levels. Using a higher value of k in older children helps to account for this decrease in GFR and provides a more accurate estimate.
In contrast, for infants younger than one year, the recommended value of k is 0.45. This is because the GFR is higher in infants, and using a lower value of k helps to avoid overestimating the GFR.
Therefore, for children older than one year, the value of k in the Schwartz formula should be 0.55.