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Pediatric Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Renal Study (Nuclear Medicine)
A glomerular filtration rate (GFR) renal study is a nuclear medicine exam in which the patient receives an injection of a radioactive material followed by multiple blood draws. The amount of radioactive material circulating in the blood is measured at specific time intervals to check the filtering ability of the kidneys.
Nuclear medicine exams are unique because they provide a way to evaluate the function of various internal organs and tissues, rather than just the anatomy. Nuclear medicine scans are very safe. The patient receives a tiny amount of radioactive material so radiation exposure is minimal. The radioactive material is targeted to the specific body tissue being studied which limits exposure to other areas of the body. The energy emitted from the radioactive material is measured and the results are interpreted by a radiologist.
This page contains the following information about nuclear medicine glomerular filtration rate renal study:
- Reasons for Having a Glomerular Filtration Rate Renal Study
- Risks Involved in a Glomerular Filtration Rate Renal Study
- Conditions to Let Your Doctor Know About
- Insurance Coverage
- Exam Locations
- Scheduling this Exam
- Preparation Guidelines
- Support for Your Child During the Exam
- What to Expect During the Exam
- Recovering from this Imaging Exam
- Getting Your Child's Exam Results
- Additional Information
Reasons for Having a Glomerular Filtration Rate Renal Study
GFR renal studies are used to determine how well the kidneys are filtering the blood. GFR renal studies may be used to check the kidney function of patients undergoing chemotherapy or following a kidney transplant. They may also be used to determine if there is adequate blood supply to the kidneys or an obstruction.
Risks Involved in a Glomerular Filtration Rate Renal Study
There is the risk of radiation exposure; however, a very small amount of radioactive material is used and the radiation exposure is well below the level that causes adverse affects. The radioactive material will generally clear your child’s body within 24 hours. Nuclear medicine has been used in newborns and children for more than three decades, and there are no known long-term adverse effects from such low-dose exams.
It is possible for your child to have side effects or adverse reactions to the radioactive materials; however, this is rare.
Conditions to Let Our Doctor Know About
In advance of your exam, let your INVISION radiologist or technologist know if your child is allergic to iodine.
Insurance Coverage
Glomerular filtration rate renal studies are usually covered by insurance when ordered by a physician. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure. Please bring your insurance card with you to your exam.
Exam Locations
Pediatric glomerular filtration rate renal studies may be performed at the following INVISION partner hospitals in the Denver, Colorado area. Exam results are evaluated by INVISION radiologists.
- Medical Center of Aurora
- Porter Adventist Hospital
- Sky Ridge Medical Center
- The Children's Hospital
Please note:
INVISION is partially owned by Radiology Imaging Associates (RIA); consequently, your radiologist’s lab coat and your bill, if you receive one, may say RIA rather than INVISION.
Scheduling this Exam
To schedule a pediatric glomerular filtration rate renal study, please call the hospital where the exam will be performed.
Preparation Guidelines
Following are the preparation instructions for this exam:
- If your child is being infused with IV fluids, contact his or her referring physician to lower the rate and volume of infused fluids to a minimum. Large fluid increases will greatly affect the outcome of a GFR renal study.
- Bring any of the following items for your child to increase his or her comfort: CDs, movies (we also have a selection at The Children’s Hospital), pacifiers, special blankets, and stuffed toys.
- Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time to complete paperwork.
- Your child should have an IV port started prior to the exam time.
Support for Your Child during the Exam
We allow up to two adults in the nuclear medicine room with your child to provide support.
What to Expect During the Exam
Upon arriving in the radiology department for your appointment, you will be given paperwork to complete.
Your child will be given a small drink containing drops of potassium iodide. Thirty minutes later, he or she will be given an injection of I125 Iothalamate. If your child only has one IV access site, a second will be started for the injection and immediately removed. The original will be used for drawing blood.
A technologist will draw approximately 5cc of blood at four different time intervals: after 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 180 minutes, and 300 minutes.
After the 30 minute interval, you and your child may temporarily leave and resume normal activities. Fatty foods and caffeine should be avoided until the exam is completed. Return to the Children’s Hospital Radiology Department at the designated times for the third and fourth blood draws.
Your child may watch a movie or listen to a CD while waiting for the injection and the first two scans.
Recovering from this Imaging Exam
Your child can return to his or her normal activities immediately after the exam.
Getting Your Child's Exam Results
Trained and experienced pediatric radiologists interpret all exams, and then report the specific results to the physician who ordered your exam. Your physician will usually receive the report on the day of the exam. Your physician will then pass the results onto you. Our radiologists and technologists will be happy to answer questions about the exam procedure itself; however, they will not provide the exam results at the time the exam is performed.
Additional Information
The information on this page was taken in part from some of the following web sites. Visit these sites for additional information on glomerular filtration rate renal studies.
Sources
- NucMedNet
