Early detection of acute kidney injury by serum cystatin C in critically ill children.

Background: We prospectively evaluated whether serum cystatin C (CysC) detected acute kidney injury (AKI) earlier than basal serum creatinine (Cr).

Methods: In 107 pediatric patients at high risk of developing AKI, serum Cr and serum CysC were measured upon admission. Baseline estimated creatinine clearance (eCCl) was calculated using a CysC-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equation from a serum Cr measured at the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) entrance.