Serum Cystatin C Levels in Nigerian Children: Reference Intervals and Relationship to Demographic and Anthropometric Variables Sérum Cystatine C Chez les Enfants Nigérians: Intervalles de Référence et des Relations Avec les Variables Démographiques et Anthropométriques

BACKGROUND: Cystatin C has been recognized as a good marker of kidney function but reference ranges have not been determined in Nigerian children. OBJECTIVE: To determine the reference range of serum cystatin C in Nigerian children with no overt signs of kidney disease and to determine and compare the relationship of serum cystatin C and serum creatinine with demographic and anthropometric variables. METHODS: Fifty-nine children aged two years to 16 years with no evidence of overt kidney disease were recruited from the Paediatric Clinics of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Serum cystatin C levels were measured using ELISA method while serum creatinine was measured by a rateblanked and compensated Jaffe method using a Roche/Hitachi 902 auto-analyser. Both were measured using the same serum